Colchester United teenager Anthony Wordsworth will be hoping for a happier return to Carrow Road tomorrow (5pm) as he bids to keep up an impressive pre-season goalscoring record.

David Cuffley

Colchester United teenager Anthony Wordsworth will be hoping for a happier return to Carrow Road tomorrow (5pm) as he bids to keep up an impressive pre-season goalscoring record.

The 19-year-old midfielder made the last of his four appearances for the U's last season as a substitute in the 5-1 defeat at Norwich on Easter Saturday as the Essex club's Championship status slipped away.

But Wordsworth, normally a central midfielder, has been used in a wide position by Colchester in the build-up to the new League One campaign, and has scored four times, including the winner in the 1-0 friendly victory at Luton on Tuesday night.

Wordsworth said a punishing fitness regime set during the close season by Colchester's former fitness coach Donough Holohan - since succeeded by ex-Canary sports scientist Dave Carolan - had been a big factor behind his eye-catching performances.

He said: “I'm feeling very fit. During the time off I've been working hard by myself and all of the running has been paying off in the matches.

“The pre-season has been good so far - everyone has done well and we're scoring goals.

“I don't think I've done myself any harm in pre-season.

“But there are a lot of central midfielders at the club and there are limited positions to go around.

“I've learnt a lot from the other midfielders, people like Kem Izzet, Johnnie Jackson and Dean Hammond who have a lot of experience.

“It helped being in the Championship last season and it's given me a bit of extra confidence.”

Striker Steve Gillespie, Colchester's record £400,000 signing from Cheltenham, could face City - as one of six close season recruits by manager Geraint Williams.

Williams has also snapped up defenders Matt Heath from Leeds, Paul Reid from Barnsley and Matt Lockwood from Nottingham Forest, plus midfielder David Perkins from Rochdale and Nigerian striker Akanni-Sunday Wasiu, formerly with St Albans.

Former skipper Karl Duguid, who has joined Plymouth, and retired pair Teddy Sheringham and Aidan Davidson are among those to have left.