Gillespie eyeing FA Cup chance

Gillespie has struggled with injuries at Colchester

Steven Gillespie is hoping his form in Colchester United's reserves has been enough to warrant a first team start.

The U's visit non-league Bromley in the FA Cup on Saturday, looking to avoid a potential giantkilling.

Gillespie, 24, is the club's record signing, but has been confined to substitute appearances this season.

"All I can do is play, score a few goals for the reserves and hope that turns the manager's head," Gillespie told BBC Essex.

But manager Aidy Boothroyd has intimated he has the strength in depth to consider a few changes, while not taking Bromley lightly.

"I've seen Bromley twice and know they're a threat.

"They're good at set pieces and have a good front two, but like all teams they have weaknesses which we need to exploit," said Boothroyd.

Colchester have been the victims of a number of giantkillings in recent years with the likes of Bedlington Terriers, Gravesend, Yeovil (then a non-league club) and Sutton United humiliating them.

But Gillespie is hoping to avoid any surprises.

"It's just a case of getting the win, no matter how we do it.

"You look at all the results coming in on Saturday and there will be surprises but you just don't want it to be you making the headlines for the wrong reasons," he said.

It has been a tough time for the Liverpudlian since joining Colchester in the summer of 2008, with hamstring injuries restricting him to a handful of appearances.

But he now looks to be back to full fitness in time for the FA Cup.

"When I was with Liverpool I was lucky enough to go down on the club train when Michael Owen scored twice to beat Arsenal.

"The Cup is a big thing on Merseyside and I really enjoy it." he added.