Frankie Kent will gain confidence from his first Colchester United league start in nearly 11 months, according to boss Tony Humes.

Kent, playing in the League One for the first time this calendar year following a long-term knee injury last season, recovered from a shaky start to shine in the U’s fine win over Gillingham.

Kent impressed alongside Tom Eastman in the second half of Colchester’s 2-1 victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and Humes believes the whole of the back four will get stronger.

Humes said: “Frankie’s been out for a long time and it’s going to take him a while to step back into competitive, senior football.

“But he grew the more the game went on and I thought that he was outstanding in the second half.

“We had a bit of a jittery start but as the game went on, the centre-halves did what they are there for.

“I’m really pleased for him and I’m really pleased for the back four, because we have conceded a few goals and questioned certain things at times.

“To come through games like that will give them so much confidence.”

For five pages of coverage on the U’s 2-1 win over Gillingham, see Monday’s Daily Gazette.