Hammond champions Cousins' cause

Hammond scored both goals in the 2-2 draw with Huddersfield

Colchester United captain Dean Hammond says goalkeeper Mark Cousins has earned his place in the U's starting line-up.

Cousins, 22, was between the sticks for only the sixth time this season for Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Huddersfield.

With Jimmy Walker returning to West Ham after the U's failed in their appeal to have his loan extended, Hammond felt Cousins had done his cause no harm.

"Mark has been a credit to himself, he's brilliant in training and did very well tonight," he told BBC Essex.

"Jimmy came in and has been brilliant and I think he has been great for Mark as well, he's learned a lot from him," Hammond added.

"So I think he's done enough to hold onto his place."

Cousins will face competition from Dean Gerken, who was recalled from his loan spell at Darlington last week.

The U's were hopeful the paperwork issues surrounding a deal to keep Walker at Colchester until the end of the season could be resolved.

But Walker will now return to his parent club after the Football League ruled against the U's appeal - a decision manager Paul Lambert described as 'woeful'.