Baldwin Begins Comeback Trail

Colchester United’s long-suffering defender, Pat Baldwin, hopes to be back in first-team conention as soon as possible, following his involvement in today’s reserve game.

The 25-year-old has not played any part in starting XI duties since March but was due to play a full game in this afternoon’s second string tie against Ipswich Town.

Baldwin has featured on the bench a number of times this season but has not remained unused.

He told the local media: ‘I can’t wait to get back out there. This will be my first start, and hopefully my first full 90 minutes since January. I don’t really count West Brom as a comeback match.

‘I’m ahead of schedule for my return.

‘The specialist originally said that I would be out for six months. I would have been back even sooner, but for a niggling knee injury, which put me out for another month, but I’m still ahead of target.’

Baldwin will face a hard fight to dislodge either Chris Coyne, Paul Reid and Matt Heath from the first eleven, but is sure to get a run of chances once he can prove his fitness to manager Geraint Williams.