Mark Cousins made his debut for Colchester in August 2007

After a season in the reserves, Colchester United goalkeeper Mark Cousins is aiming to keep his starting place in the first team.

Cousins was understudy to Ben Williams for the whole of last season.

But injury to Williams has given Cousins a run of nine games to stake his claim.

Cousins, who has kept three clean sheets in those matches, told BBC Essex: "Now Ben is fit again, it's up to me to stay in the team."

Cousins, 23, didn't play a league game at all last season. Williams has been sidelined with an ankle injury, but returned to training earlier this month and has now played twice for the reserves.

Cousins faces a tough battle: former Carlisle United goalkeeper Williams picked up the club's Player of the Year award last season.

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