DEAN Gerken was the man to lose his place to Jimmy Walker, when the latter arrived at Colchester on loan from West Ham.

Carl Marston

DEAN Gerken was the man to lose his place to Jimmy Walker, when the latter arrived at Colchester on loan from West Ham.

The upshot was that Gerken was forced to go out on loan himself, to secure some first-team football at League Two promotion candidates Darlington.

Walker, though, believes that the U's young keeper will benefit from his spell with the Quakers.

“The gaffer (Paul Lambert) just wanted a bit more experience, when he signed me. He wanted to take Dean (Gerken) out of the firing line,” insisted Walker.

“It's difficult for a young keeper, especially in a struggling side, which is what Colchester were at the time. They weren't doing well at home, and that made it hard for Dean and also Mark Cousins.

“I still think that both have a big future in the game. Dean is a young lad who will benefit from playing a few games. He'll bounce back,” added Walker.

Gerken made his Darlington debut in the 5-1 home win over Luton Town last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Jackson might miss out this weekend, after damaging a ligament in his chest during last weekend's 3-1 home win over Cheltenham Town.

But Marc Tierney has overcome a hamstring problem, which sidelined him last Saturday, so he could well return at left-back in place of Jackson for tomorrow's trip to Bristol Rovers.

There are no other injury concerns. Club skipper Chris Coyne returned to training yesterday after his recent knee injury.