The competition for places in Colchester United’s attack has really hotted up following Dan Holman’s arrival last week.

And Freddie Sears, last season’s leading scorer with 13 goals, has welcomed Holman’s presence and the new striker battle that will unfold over the coming weeks.

Sears scored a brace in last night’s 8-0 win at Heybridge Swifts, in the U’s second pre-season friendly, having also slotted home a penalty in the opening 4-1 win at Brantham last Saturday. Holman was also on target at Brantham.

U’s boss Joe Dunne tends to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation, with one striker playing behind a target man – those two roles were usually filled by Sears and Jabo Ibehre last term – but Holman will be out to break up that partnership during the 2014-15 campaign.

In fact, Dunne now has an embarrassment of riches up front, with Sears, Ibehre, Holman and Macauley Bonne all out-and-out strikers, together with such versatile wingers as Gavin Massey, Sanchez Watt and Dominic Vose, who can also operate down the middle.

Sears and Holman will once again be on the look-out for goals, as the U’s play their third friendly at AFC Sudbury tomorrow evening.

“Everyone knew about Dan (Holman), before he came in last week,” explained Sears.

“He’s been playing around this area. I think we played Braintree last season and he looked good, and the gaffer has seen him a lot in the past.

“Dan looks good and it looks as though he can bring the team something. He’s good to play with and I’ve been linking up with him in training. It’s always nice to forge a new relationship, and start playing with new players.

“It all means more competition for places, with Jabo, me and Macca already here, so there’s a lot of competition, which keeps you on your toes.

“Dan has got to come in and work hard to get into the team, and we have to do the same thing.”

In addition to Sears’ brace, Ibehre also scored two at Heybridge. The other goals were scored by West Ham triallist George Moncur, midfielder David Wright and wingers Gavin Massey and Dominic Vose