Alex Wynter is hoping his former Colchester United team-mate will hand him his first competitive start for three months tomorrow.

The 22-year-old played alongside U's caretaker boss David Wright when the defender first arrived at the club on loan from Crystal Palace in April, 2014.

Wynter's first Colchester start came in a 3-2 win at Stevenage, a game in which Wright suffered concussion following a head injury.

Wynter is now fully recovered from his own bout of concussion suffered following his sickening head injury in the U's FA Cup defeat against Spurs, last January.

After returning as a substitute against Burton Albion last weekend, the young defender is hoping that he will feature at Barnsley this weekend.

Wynter said: "I know Wrighty from Palace as well, so I have lot of respect and time for him.

"It's a bit strange to be playing under him now rather than alongside him but that's football.

"That's just me getting old I think now but I can't complain, because it means I'm getting more experience in the game."

Wynter came on as a first-half substitute for Gavin Massey last weekend, following Joe Edwards' controversial sending off.

"Even getting out last Saturday was a bonus for me, although it wasn't a good feeling with us being relegated," added Wynter.

"At one point, I did think that my season would be over and I didn't think that I'd play again, so any minutes I get between now and the end of the season is a bonus."