COLCHESTER United boss John Ward says he is pleased with the progress winger Medy Elito is making on loan at fellow League One club Dagenham & Redbridge.

The 20-year-old has scored two goals in four appearances for the Daggers, helping the relegation-battlers to important wins over Yeovil and Carlisle.

Since bursting onto the scene as a precocious teenage talent in Colchester’s relegation season from the Championship, Elito has found his chances limited at the U’s.

The direct-running wideman enjoyed a successful loan spell at League Two side Cheltenham at the end of last season, but U’s boss John Ward says he could still have a future at The Weston Homes Community Stadium.

““I’m really pleased with how he’s getting on,” said Ward. “He’s got a couple of goals and helped them to a result against a team near us last weekend (Carlisle) so that’s even better!

“I’ve spoken to John Still (Dagenham manager) a couple of times and he’s pleased.”

Asked whether Elito could be challenging for a first team place at Colchester when he returns to the club in the New Year, Ward said: “If he’s playing regularly, why not?

“If our team is firing on all cylinders then we may look at a further loan or whatever, but if not I’ve got a lad that can come back in who has been playing at our level which is brilliant.

“I like Medy, he’s one that needs confidence and I think this will give him that I think knowing that he an play and score and be a bit of a limelight at a football club, whereas here he was kicking his heels a bit here thinking when is my chance going to come? We’ll see what happens.”

Dagenham & Redbridge, still third-bottom of the table, host Peterborough tomorrow.

– For full preview of Bristol Rovers v Colchester United, see tomorrow’s EADT.