Stand In Baldwin In Aidy`s Second Chance Brigade?

Loaned Colchester United defender Pat Baldwin has been temporarily skippering arch rivals Sothend – in the same season was first officially named U`s club captain.

It remains unclear if Aidy Boothroyd will select Baldwin again following his last less-than-successful cameo appearance for Colchester, in an ignominious 5-0 home defeat to Norwich City. However, on Friday prior to the weekend`s slip-up at Hartlepool, Boothroyd indicated in the East Anglian Daily Times that some presently out-of-favour players would get “a second chance” next season.

Baldwin has been wearing the armband for the Shrimpers in their last two matches, after a hamstring injury ruled out regular team-leader, Adam Barrett. He called it both an “an honour” and “a privilege” to have done so when talking to BBC Radio Essex after their defeat against Brighton.

Former Chelsea trainee Baldwin is however under contract at Colchester until 2012 and would be due a testimonial should that deal run its course, which seemed a certainty to happen at the start of the season when he was promoted as captain by Paul Lambert.

He has since endured a torrid time under Boothroyd, suffering an unfortunate injury in the new manager`s first game against Southampton before losing his place and being told he was surplus to requirements partway through what was initially a strictly rehabilitative sojourn with Bristol Rovers.

Protracted negotiations with Rovers fell through in January as Colchester tried to sell Baldwin permanently, after he appeared to make a farewell substitute appearance in United colours against City upon his short-stayed return to North Essex.

Baldwin has refused to be drawn on his future on several occasions but would presumably reluctant to commit to the Shrimpers, a side very nearly condemned to life in League Two next season as relegation looms.







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