BRENDAN Wiredu has made a big impact since joining Colchester United on a permanent basis on transfer deadline day.

And the young midfielder's dominance in one particular area in the U's 1-1 draw with Barrow on Easter Monday was particularly telling.

Wiredu's tenacity and spirit in Colchester's midfield is proving to be crucial, as they battle to avoid the drop from League Two.

The 21-year-old is showing maturity beyond his years in driving his team on, in their search for valuable points.

And against Barrow, the all-action midfielder took his determination to new heights.

According to https://www.whoscored.com, Wiredu made an impressive total of seven tackles in the hard-fought draw, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

That was by far and away the most tackles made by any player in the ten games played in League Two, on Easter Monday.

It is further proof that the former Charlton Athletic youngster is an influential force for the U's, this season.

Wiredu has made 14 appearances for Colchester since joining them on a permanent basis from the Addicks, in February.

And the fact that he has started the U's last 12 games in succession reinforces his importance to the side.

Colchester interim head coach Hayden Mullins deployed Wiredu in a more advanced position in the 0-0 draw at Bolton Wanderers, on Good Friday.

But the youngster reverted back to a more defensive-minded midfield role, against Barrow.

And although he will feel he should have taken a gilt-edged chance in the first half of the Barrow game, it did not deflect from another impressive overall display.

Indeed, the midfielder will feel he should have already been on the scoresheet by that point, having had a goal harshly disallowed for a foul on Barrow goalkeeper, Joel Dixon.

Wiredu will now be hoping for more of the same when Colchester travel to play Oldham Athletic on Friday in their ongoing search for more points to aid their League Two survival bid.