FORMER West Ham United favourite Steve Lomas wants to be Colchester United’s next manager.

And the ex-Northern Ireland midfielder believes he can follow in the footsteps of Phil Parkinson and Geraint Williams and prove his worth with the U’s as a young, up-and-coming boss.

The 34-year-old has sent his CV to the U’s, in the hope of succeeding Williams in the hot-seat.

He is still waiting to hear whether he will be invited for interview, as chairman Robbie Cowling narrows down his search for a new man to lead the club.

Lomas told the Echo: “I would be very interested.

“Colchester is a great club and I’m looking to get into that side of things.

“I see it as a good starting position.

“Colchester United has a history of giving young managers a chance, like Phil Parkinson and Geraint Williams in the past.”

Lomas represented the likes of West Ham, Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers in a playing career spanning more than 400 appearances.

He carved out a reputation as a tough-tackling, no-nonsense competitor and said he would bring similar qualities to management.

“I was always up for a battle as a player and I would certainly be up for the challenge,” said Lomas, whose left his last club Gillingham in January.

“I always worked hard and gave 100 per cent and I would throw myself at it with a desire and a will to win.

“Being an international player doesn’t always mean you will be a good manager. But it does help when it comes to having football experience.

“And I think it helps that I’ve only just finished playing, because I’m very aware of the importance diet and fitness have in today’s game.”

Lomas said he is already familiar with several members of the current Colchester squad.He knows Johnnie Jackson and Mark Yeates and played with U’s captain Chris Coyne during his eight-and-a-half year spell with West Ham.

Lomas added: “Colchester have a great new ground and they definitely have a squad that is better than their current league position.”