COLCHESTER United past-and-present were involved in Australia's international friendly fixture against South Africa this week.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United past-and-present were involved in Australia's international friendly fixture against South Africa this week.

Current club skipper Coyne might be struggling to hold down a place in the U's starting line-up at the start of the season, but the ex-Luton defender was handed his second appearance for Australia in the 2-2 draw against South Africa at QPR's Loftus Road on Tuesday night.

Coyne played the full 90 minutes in the heart of defence, having spent the full 90 minutes on the substitutes' bench in the U's goalless home draw against Huddersfield last Saturday.

And the Colchester connection did not end there, because former front-runner Richard Garcia enjoyed his international debut for the Socceroos.

The 26-year-old started Hull's first ever game in the top flight - a 2-1 win over Fulham last weekend - and then appeared as a 62nd substitute against South Africa.

Meanwhile, U's highly-rated teenage winger Medy Elito has been called up to the England Under-19 squad against Holland at Shrewsbury Town on September 9.