U`s Declined Chance to Sign Davis

With just one Colchester United reserve game left for the season, the club are making decisions on the future of various personnel all the time.

After a nil-all draw between the second string and Stevenage Borough, Mick Hartford revealed that the club had turned down the chance to sign recent trial prospect Rob Davis on a permanent basis, before offering his verdict on U`s squad members who do not always get a chance in the first XI.

Of Welshman Davis, assistant boss Hartford said: "Rob, on trial from West Brom, did Ok in his two games and scored against Ipswich with a very smartly taken quick free-kick. He really wants to be a successful footballer, which is always a good thing. He is very positive on the pitch.

"He came in for a couple of games but we feel it might be a bit too early for him at the moment.

"If we bring in players, they have to be able to push into the first team and we don`t think Rob is quite ready for that yet. He is going to Holland for a trial, I believe, and we wish him all the best; we`ll obviously be keeping an eye on his progress."

The U`s team is second in the Combination Reserve League, and Mick went on to praise those playing regular reserve football this season, with only a game against Luton left, on April 24th at Layer Road.

Although Hartford mentioned no names, Jamie Guy, and George Elukobi are among those first-team contenders constantly involved. It is a way for personnel like them to maintain match sharpness and potentially impress enough to break into the senior squad, and Mick sympathised with their plight.

"It has been frustrating for them because all players want to play first team football. They have show a great attitude and we know we can throw them in should injury on lack of form affect the players that currently occupy those first team places."

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