COLCHESTER United boss John Ward is looking for front-runner Ian Henderson to regain some lost confidence in front of goal.

COLCHESTER United boss John Ward is looking for front-runner Ian Henderson to regain some lost confidence in front of goal.

Livewire Henderson missed the U’s best chances to score during last Saturday’s windswept 1-0 defeat at Carlisle United.

The ex-Norwich City attacker started this season with a flourish by scoring three goals in the first two matches, including a brace in the opening day 4-2 win at Preston.

But since then, Henderson has mustered just three goals in his last 20 appearances, a record he will be looking to improve, starting against visiting Swindon Town in an FA Cup second round tie this Saturday.

“Ian is usually pretty good with finishing things off,” explained Ward.

“But he was wayward at Carlisle. It looked a good chance in the first period and he had a couple in the second half where he was quite lively.

“But they didn’t drop his way, or he didn’t get the confident finish on it.

“But we have all days like that. It has happened and hopefully he will get some chances this weekend and put one or two away.”

Thetford-born Henderson has played the bulk of this season on the flank in a 4-3-3 formation, although he has also operated as a central attacker behind target man Kayode Odejayi on occasions.