Jet-lagged but still buzzing – U’s midfielder Comley

Brandon Comley, who relished his international debut for Montserrat. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Midfielder Comley made his international debut by playing the full 90 minutes in Montserrat’s 2-1 defeat to El Salvador in a CONCACAF Nations League qualifier last weekend.

Despite the result, Comley loved the whole experience, especially as got to play in the same team as his older brother, James.

The 22-year-old ex-QPR man wants more international caps in the future, while also helping to boost the U’s League Two promotion chances this season.

“I’m only just getting over the jet-lag, but it was worth it,” explained Comley, following yesterday’s training session at Florence Park, Tiptree.

Comley continued: “We stopped off at Miami, went on to Antigua and then caught a boat to Monserrat.

“I fact, I was only on the island for about three days, but we managed to get in a few training sessions. Overall, it was a fantastic experience.

“It was my first international game, and I got to play with my brother as well, so it’s something that I will always cherish.

“Most of the team was made up of London-based players, quo qualify through their ancestry, like I do through my Dad’s side of the family.

“However, we were joined by a few local boys from the island. They joined in the squad.

“As far as the game went, we looked pretty good early on and we got 1-0 up.

“However, due to funding we didn’t have as many coaches as we would have liked, and a few of the squad didn’t make it, which didn’t help and created certain issues. I think that had an effect.

“We looked like we were going to hold our own for a while, but we ended up making a few sloppy mistakes – we had not been together as a squad for long, so there were always going to be a few cracks, while I also think El Salvador will be one of the better teams that we face in the competition.

“It was still a great game to play in, even though we were on the back foot for much of it. There were positives to take, and I’d love to have a repeat experience, 100%.

“There’s another game in a month’s time, and I would love to be involved, although at the same time I obviously I don’t want to be away from Colchester and so leave the club short.

“But it made me feel very proud, playing for my country. It was the first time I had been to the island, so it was a touching moment.

“Half the island has been destroyed by a volcano, but the other half is beautiful,” added Comley.

But all focus is now on tomorrow’s home clash with Joe Dunne’s Cambridge side.

“Now I’m ready to go again, and get on with the job in hand at Colchester,” confirmed Comley, who has so far rattled up 40 league appearances for the Essex club since his switch from QPR.

“The lads got a good point at Tranmere (1-1 draw) last weekend, and now I’m sure we can follow that up with all three points against Cambridge.

“We’ve had a good start to the season, and I made sure that I got back as early as I could from Montserrat, earlier than all the other boys, so that I could join in training on Tuesday.

“I’m ready to fight for my place again.

“I feel that I’ve come back stronger, as a player, and I think I will also grow as a person, playing in a different type of football.

“This squad is so strong this year, everyone can do a good job in the team. That’s why I think we can really do something this season.

“The players that have been brought in over the summer all have a winning mentality and are all big characters.

“That’s why we are now nicking points, when last year we would probably have lost those of games, and all those points add up at the end of the season.

“Everyone has a good work ethic, and this should stand us in good stead. We are certainly going in the right direction,” added Comley, who scored his first goal for the U’s last season in a 1-1 draw at Mansfield on March 10.

Comley could go straight back into the starting XI tomorrow, even though Diaz Wright impressed as his replacement at Tranmere last weekend.

Fellow midfielder Tom Lapslie remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery, so it appears like that Comley will partner Harry Pell in the middle of the park.

Club captain Luke Prosser should also return to the team after missing the 1-1 draw at Prenton Park due to suspension.