Colchester United target Alex Woodyard is likely to feature for Leyton Orient in their friendly at Braintree Town tonight.

Woodyard caught the eye with a string of impressive performances for Conference South outfit Concord Rangers, last season.

He won the Supporters’ Player of the Year award at the Beach Boys and earned rave reviews from England C boss Paul Fairclough after playing for the Three Lions against Republic of Ireland under-21s, last month.

Woodyard’s performances in central midfield had caught the eye of several clubs, including the U’s.

However, this week's arrival of fellow midfielder Joe Edwards at Colchester has led to Woodyard trying to earn a deal with Orient.

And he is set to feature for the O’s in a pre-season friendly at Braintree.

Woodyard spent the first week of pre-season with the Iron, before moving onto Brisbane Road on trial.

Meanwhile, Humes has challenged more of Colchester’s academy players to stake a claim for a senior spot, over the coming weeks.

The U’s boss says he will give some of the club’s up-and-coming under-21 players a chance to impress in training and in forthcoming pre-season friendlies.

“The under-21s have been training with the first-team squad over the last few days,” said Humes.

“It’s a chance for them to show what they can do in that environment.

“If you look at the progress of the likes of Sammie Szmodics, Alex Gilbey and Frankie Kent, we’ve shown that we’re willing to give young players a chance in our first team.

“The likes of Marley Andrews, Callum Harrison and Tyler Brampton have joined in with the first team.

“It’s a case of saying to them “let’s see what you can do and make that next step”.”

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