DIAZ Wright could be in line to make his first-ever home league start for Colchester United when they host fellow promotion hopefuls Carlisle United in a crunch League Two clash tomorrow.

But the U's midfielder could well have found himself out on loan this weekend, rather than being involved in a vital top-seven game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Wright is hoping to secure a place in Colchester's starting line-up for the meeting with the Cumbrians, with Tom Lapslie struggling to shake off a hamstring injury and fellow midfielder Harry Pell and Brandon Comley ruled out.

But the U's academy graduate, who celebrates his 21st birthday today, played for most of the second half of their 1-1 draw at Macclesfield Town last weekend.

And he could well have found himself playing elsewhere, with a loan switch talked about.

McGreal said: “We had a good chat with Diaz a couple of weeks ago, especially with the new boys coming in.

“We were looking at what the next best thing would be for Diaz.

“He’s gone through the under-23 stage and we were possibly looking for a loan but no sooner that happens you get injuries and the door opens.

“Diaz has done wonderfully well for us all season and he’s always been a big part of what we’ve been doing.

“It’s just more for his development really to try and get him that Saturday-Tuesday thing, rather than a week with the under-23s.

“But lo and behold, we get a couple of injuries and he’s found himself coming in for the whole of the second half.

“But we also have one or two other bodies that we can move around in that area and tweak the system, so there’s food for thought.

“Training has been very good and a lot of players want to play and that’s what we’ve got which his great because there are decisions to be made.”

Meanwhile fellow midfielder Comley is likely to be sidelined for a least another fortnight after suffering a knee injury.

The former Queens Park Rangers youngster picked up the injury in training last week and did not travel with the rest of the U's squad to Macclesfield Town, last weekend.

Comley took part in running exercises in training yesterday, at the U's Florence Park complex.

However, the 23-year-old may need some more strength work in order to get back to full speed.

It is hard luck on Comley, who would have been in the running to start for Colchester against Carlisle had he been fit.

“Brandon is still not available at the minute – he’s still around a week away at least," said McGreal.

“We’ll know a little bit more at the beginning of next week on the injuries.

“He’s going to be a couple of weeks – he tried to run today but felt a little bit sore.

"We’re looking to get a bit more strength work into it and start again in the early part of next week.

“It’s tough luck on him but it just happens like that in football.

“He’s been waiting for his opportunity patiently and training really well but gets a little tweak on his knee.

“He’s very professional getting all of his work done and wants to be back as quickly as possible.

“The injuries have come at the wrong time for us but injuries never come at a right time!

“But it gives other boys opportunities and the likes of Diaz Wright and Louis Dunne that experience.

“When the door closes for one, it opens for another.”