WAYNE Brown has revealed that striker John Akinde 'wasn't close' to being involved in Colchester United's game with Carlisle United.

The experienced striker has missed the U's last three matches in League Two, after contracting Covid-19.

Akinde was at the JobServe Community Stadium for the Carlisle game but was not close to being involved, according to interim head coach Brown.

Brown said: “John wasn’t close.

“He had a negative test on Friday and a negative test on Saturday, which enabled him to come back into the environment.

“But he’s struggled if I’m honest with Covid and he’s been off for the last ten days."

Akinde has featured twice for Colchester since joining them on a two-and-a-half year deal in last month's transfer window, after leaving Gillingham.

The 32-year-old made his U's debut as a substitute in their 1-1 draw with Swindon Town, providing the assist for Emyr Huws' dramatic stoppage-time equaliser.

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And Akinde made his first start for Colchester a few days later, in their 1-1 draw with Rochdale.

The 6ft 2in forward has made nearly 550 first-team appearances for a number of clubs, during his long career scoring 163 goals.

Brown feels Akinde will give the U's a different option but will not resort to direct play to get the best out of the striker.

Brown said: “Everyone can see he’s a presence and he gives us a little bit of a dimension that we haven’t had.

“It is good to go through him but with quality and with some thought.

“We can’t just be one of these teams that go from back to front."

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Meanwhile, Brown says Junior Tchamadeu has made the Colchester right-back spot his own, over recent weeks.

The 18-year-old (pictured above) has started every game for the U's since Brown took interim charge last month, following Hayden Mullins' departure.

Brown admits the teenage defender is still learning the game but has been pleased with his level of improvement.

Brown added: “Junior needs to learn and he needs to learn fast and that’s what he’s doing.

“I think anyone who’s watched Junior would agree in recent months has seen how much he’s developed and improved and ultimately, he’s made that spot his own."