CAMERON James is ready and match-fit if called upon by Colchester United, after returning to the club from a loan spell at Braintree Town.

That is the view of U's head coach John McGreal, who has recalled the versatile youngster following a spate of injuries at the JobServe Community Stadium.

James, who rose through the academy ranks at Colchester, was recalled by his parent club yesterday, following injuries to Tom Eastman and Tom Lapslie.

The 20-year-old, who can play in a variety of positions in both defence and midfield, was an unused substitute for the U's Checkatrade Trophy Group B defeat at Cambridge United, last night.

James made 13 appearances for Braintree and has been a regular starter for them in the National League.

He has been predominantly playing in a central midfield role, after joining the Cressing Road club on loan in August.

James returns to Colchester along with teenage defender Ollie Kensdale, who had been on loan at Bostik League North side Maldon and Tiptree and made his senior debut at Cambridge.

McGreal told the Gazette: "We're short of defenders - we just had Luke (Prosser) and Frank (Kent) as the centre-backs so we had to pull Ollie (Kensdale) back.

"Cameron can do a little bit of that area as well, so we had to call them back.

"They're both match fit, which is why we took the decision.

"Cam has been playing good football in the National League and Ollie has at Maldon.

"Cam has been regularly playing in the division below and he's our player, so we feel as though we need to have him back in the squad.

"He's played 20-odd games for us the year before last."

Kensdale became the first player born this century to represent Colchester at senior level at Cambridge, after featuring at the Abbey Stadium.

The 18-year-old played for an hour against Joe Dunne's side before being replaced by Ryan Jackson, as the U's chased an equaliser in the 3-1 reverse.

"I thought Ollie was brilliant for the hour," added McGreal.

"He was assured and confident and grew more and more into the game.

"As we were chasing the game, I changed it a little bit and I just wanted that partnership out on the right hand side with Ryan Jackson."