DANNY Cowley admits he has some difficult decisions to make ahead of Colchester United’s trip to play League Two leaders Walsall this weekend.
The U’s will be without Micah Mbick who is away on international duty with England under-20s but Samson Tovide staked his claim for a place in the starting-line with a fine goal in their midweek Vertu Trophy win over Fulham under-21s, on Tuesday night.
Summer signing Will Goodwin played for more than an hour against Fulham in his first competitive start since the first day of the season, while Jaden Williams is also in contention to start in attack.
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Cowley also has tough choices to make at the back for the trip to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, with captain Tom Flanagan now back from injury and vying for a place in the team.
Cowley said: “They are always difficult decisions – you never make any decision lightly.
“It’s always about trying to do as much due diligence and being as conscientious as you can and to hopefully making sure that you get those decisions right, respectful of the fact that it’s players’ careers.
“You’ve always got to make sure that you do the necessary work, to make the right decision for the players and of course, the team.
“We have some challenges at the top end of the pitch with unavailability.
“But we’re very lucky with the squad of players that we have and the depth that we have, particularly in that position.
“There are other positions where we’re a little bit lighter but that is one position where we do have depth and have a lot of competition for places.
“I never see the disappointment in unavailability; I just see the opportunity.
“We have a lot of boys that are putting their hand up and are really eager to play, on Saturday.”
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Colchester are aiming to get back to winning ways in the league against a Walsall side who are currently top of League Two on goal difference.
The U’s have had performed well at some of the division’s top teams so far this season, winning at Grimsby Town and taking points off Swindon Town.
“We’ve been able to go to the teams at the top of the league and perform well and get the game on our terms,” continued Cowley.
“That’s the ambition come the weekend.
“We have some challenges in terms of the top end of the pitch with unavailability but with that comes opportunity for others.
“It was great to see Samson [Tovide] score a goal on Tuesday and that will be so good for him, because we all know what a top player he is and also Will Goodwin getting his first minutes back on the pitch and also Jaden [Williams] playing 90 on Tuesday as well.
“We’ve got to make the right decision, for the opponent.”
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