George Elokobi says he is ready to return to Colchester United’s starting line-up tomorrow - if he gets the call.

The popular defender is waiting in the wings to make his first start in nearly a month for the U’s when they travel to play Shrewsbury Town.

With Matt Briggs serving a one-match suspension, Colchester boss Tony Humes must decide who to start at left-back.

Elokobi spent most of his first U’s spell as a left-back - and says he would have no qualms about stepping into the role again at New Meadow.

He said: “If the call comes for me to start, I’ll be ready to step in.

“Left-back is a position I know well.

“I haven’t played there for a long time but if the gaffer thinks I can do a job there, that’s no problem to me to step in there and do what I do best.

“It’s the gaffer’s call - I’ll just make sure I train as hard as I can and get myself ready like I’ve always done.

“It doesn’t matter what position the gaffer wants me to play - if he wants me to do as a holding midfielder I’ll do that because he trusts in me to do that.”

Elokobi says it is imperative Colchester get back to winning ways at Shrewsbury, after their four-match winning run was ended by Bury last weekend.

“It’s always important to bounce back after a defeat and we’ll be looking for a win,” said the 29-year-old, who played in the U’s friendly win over Cambridge United this week.

“It was a good performance against Bury and we now have to go to Shrewsbury and try and get a result.

“It’s not going to be easy but we’ll go there and work hard and try and get a win.”

Elokobi could come up against a familiar face tomorrow.

Striker Liam McAlinden is on loan at Shrewsbury from Wolves, where he and Elokobi were team-mates.

Elokobi added: “Liam is a good player and I liked him a lot when I was at Wolves.

“He’s a deadly striker I know that for sure and he’s good in and around the box and he’s a quality player.

“I wish him all the best but hopefully, we’ll spoil the party for him on Saturday!”.

For a full preview of the U's game at Shrewsbury Town, see Friday's Daily Gazette.