John McGreal revealed that Tarique Fosu was close to a start at Exeter on Saturday, and is convinced the Reading loanee can have a big part to play for the U’s during the second half of the season.

The 21-year-old as been limited to just five starts since signing from the Royals in August, but recently extended his stay at the Weston Homes Community Stadium until the end of the season.

And McGreal revealed that he was considering unleashing Fosu from the off at St James Park, but chose to go with Drey Wright, who is to undergo a hernia operation today, in Owen Garvan’s absence.

“Tarique has been busting a gut to try and get an opportunity and with Owen going down (injured) he was really in my thoughts,” explained McGreal.

“It was between him and Drey and I went for Drey knowing he was going for an operation.

“I wanted to try and get 60 or 70 good minutes out of him (Wright) because I know he can cause problems.”

Fosu replaced Richard Brindley in the 63rd minute in Devon, and impressed in his short cameo.

“When I brought him on he was very involved in the game and had a good effort at goal,” reflected the U’s boss.

“He is a winger but I am convinced he can play in the number 10 role because he has a lot of the ball in good areas.”

Former Ipswich Town man, Garvan missed the game having damaged his medial ligaments in training on Friday, but travelled to Exeter, only to fail a fitness test.

Meanwhile, McGreal refused to be drawn on the U’s interest in Cheltenham Town midfielder, Harry Pell.

McGreal, who had Motherwell goalkeeper Dean Brill train with the U’s at the start of last week, said: “I wouldn’t really want to talk (about that), I just want to talk about the game at this moment in time.

“I don’t want to talk about other players at other clubs, I have learned that from managers myself when I was a player.

Pell, 25, is a 6ft 4ins midfielder who after coming through the ranks at Charlton, signed for Bristol Rovers.

However, it was at Hereford and AFC Wimbledon where he made his name.

He joined Cheltenham last May and has scored 25 goals in 240 career games.