COLCHESTER United left-back Ben Coker says he would welcome an extension to his loan spell at non-league Essex neighbours Chelmsford City.

The 21-year-old has earned major plaudits during his seven-game spell at the promotion-chasing Blue Square South side.

But his extended two-month deal has now expired following his appearance for the Clarets in their valiant FA Cup second round defeat at League Two side Wycombe.

The U’s themselves have extended their loan of left-back Tom Williams from Championship side Bristol City until the end of the month to act as cover for the injured Marc Tierney, who should return to action within the next fortnight after undergoing minor hernia surgery.

And with reserve team fixtures few and far between for Colchester in the lead up to Christmas, Coker says he would be happy to continue his footballing education at Chelmsford for another month in order to aid a planned push towards the first team squad in the second part of the campaign.

“It’s been a really good experience,” said Coker, who the U’s plucked from Suffolk non-league side Bury Town in the summer.

“I’ve been getting some good feedback from both managers and if the two clubs were agreeable then I’d be happy to stay there until January so I can keep playing football every week.”

Coker has been playing for Chelmsford at the weekends and joining in their training sessions on a Monday and Thursday while also training with the U’s for the rest of the week.

The attack-minded full-back, who U’s boss John Ward says may ultimately end up on the left wing, added: “The aim is to break into the Colchester first team squad by the end of the season.

“I am working on my upper body in the gym, trying to get my all-round fitness and speed up and will just keep working hard on the pitch whether that’s out on loan or back here in the reserve team.”

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