COLCHESTER United's promising teenager, Medy Elito, made his debut for England Under-19s against Holland on Tuesday night.

Carl Marston

Colchester soccer

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United's promising teenager, Medy Elito, made his debut for England Under-19s against Holland on Tuesday night.

Left-winger Elito, who has come up through the U's youth team, appeared as a substitute in the 2-1 win over the Dutch. Arsenal's Rhys Murphy scored both goals.

Elito forced his way into the U's first team last season, making his full debut in the home draw against Cardiff City in March. He has also played for England Under-17s and Under-18s.

A number of Premiership clubs have been linked with him, and his potential was confirmed on his third start at West Brom, where he scored a cracking goal in a 4-3 defeat.

The 18-year-old made 11 appearances last term, although he is still waiting to start his first game of this season. At the moment, he is playing second fiddle to Anthony Wordsworth on the left flank.

Meanwhile, the U's are preparing for their first league game in a fortnight, when they travel to Cheshire for a League One fixture against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Manager Geraint Williams is again set to be without the injured trio of leading scorer Steven Gillespie (sore hamstring), left-back Matt Lockwood (tendonitis in knee) and centre-half Paul Reid (groin problem).

Defender Pat Baldwin came through his first 90 minutes of competitive football for nearly nine months, when featuring for the Reserves in Tuesday afternoon's 3-3 draw against Ipswich Town's second string. But he is still some way off full match-fitness.