LENNOX Emery is hoping to have more experience with Colchester United's first team after being elevated to the club's senior set-up.

The promising 15-year-old, who attends Thurstable School in Tiptree, was named among the U's substitutes for their Bristol Street Motors Trophy group win over MK Dons, on Tuesday night.

At the age of 15 years and 353 days, it was the first time that he has been named in Colchester's first-team squad.

He still has plenty of time to become the U's youngest-ever player, with Todd Miller currently holding that status after making his Colchester debut at Exeter City at the age of 16 years and 166 days old, in 2019.

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Emery, who featured in Colchester under-17s' 3-2 win over Ipswich Town at Needham Market on Wednesday, impressed U's boss Danny Cowley in first-team training earlier this week, leading to the left-sided attacker's call up to the senior ranks.

Cowley said: “He’s going to be good.

“I just wanted to give him a taste tonight and let him feel it.

“He trained with us on Monday which is a big step in itself, especially at 15.

“He’s a special talent and he really excites me."

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Cowley has also praised goalkeeper Tom Smith, who impressed on his return to Colchester's starting line-up against MK Dons.

The 22-year-old was in fine form in his first senior appearance since December, pulling off a number of good saves to help the U's clinch a 2-1 victory.

“Tom did well, so I’m pleased for him," said Cowley.

“He hasn’t played for the first team for a long time, so his game time has been limited.

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“It was an important game for him personally.

“He’s trained well for a period now."

Meanwhile, Cowley wants his Colchester side to build on their victory over MK Dons with another win against Tranmere Rovers, this weekend.

The U's have drawn their last three games in League Two and are aiming to secure their second league win of the season, on Saturday.

Cowley added: “My teams always find a way and since I’ve been here, I’ve drawn far too many games.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“I have a 50 per cent win ratio as a manager and it’s something that I’m proud of.

“I like winning every game, not just one in two.

“I think it’s a habit and good teams can find different ways to win.

“It was a new group (against MK Dons) with lots of new partnerships, lots of new relationships, boys making their debut, boys who haven’t played for quite a period of time.

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“We’re conceding first at the moment, normally against the run of play.

“I didn’t think it was against the run of play (against MK Dons) if I’m honest.

“We suffered a bit in the first half and we had to be really, really organised defensively and I think we were but we just couldn’t get our counters off and probably weren’t able to make that first pass and secure possession and find our forward passes.

“But we stuck in there and showed a lot of grit and a lot of fight and in the second half, I felt we played with a lot more belief, intent and aggression."