JEVANI Brown has been told he must work hard to force his way back into Colchester United’s squad after being left out for their 2-2 draw with Mansfield Town today.

The U’s leading goalscorer, who has hit the net 11 times this season, was not even among the substitutes for the League Two clash, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Brown has been one of Colchester’s most frequent starters since Steve Ball took over from John McGreal as U’s head coach, last summer.

But the U’s boss has said Brown – and everyone else in the U’s squad – needs to earn his place in the matchday 18.

Ball said: “Every player now knows that in the week, you have to train hard, train properly and show me everything I need to see.

“Obviously off that, there’ll be a process to select the squad and that’s everybody.

“Unfortunately for Jevani, he didn’t get in the 18 today but he’s just got to work hard now and get back in that squad.”

Ball elected to leave regular Noah Chilvers on the bench along with new signing Brendan Wiredu and also left attackers Michael Folivi and Paris Cowan-Hall out of his 18 for the Mansfield game.

But loanee Aramide Oteh came on to supply the assist for Frank Nouble’s excellent late equaliser, which rescued a point for the hosts.

Ball added: “It’s the first time this season that I’ve had the luxury of a really strong bench.

“There were lads who weren’t even in the squad today who have been key parts of it, this season.

“That’s brilliant for me – the players who aren’t playing have got to be patient.

“Rem (Oteh) has been here a few weeks now and he’s really settling in.

“He’s getting to know us and we’re getting to know him and I knew he could impact it.

“He’ll be a part of it, as we go through the season.”

Colchester’s next game is a trip to play Crawley Town, next Saturday.