FORMER Colchester United hero Sam Walker believes goalkeeper Dillon Barnes will come back stronger after being dropped to the bench for Saturday's League Two victory against Crawley Town.

The 22-year-old has been a regular between the posts this season, making 14 appearances so far, but was surprisingly named among the substitutes at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Instead, head coach John McGreal handed Rene Gilmartin his league debut for the U's - his first league appearance since starting for Plymouth Argyle against Accrington Stanley in January, 2013.

Walker made over 200 appearances for Colchester before leaving in the summer, subsequently signing a three-year deal with Reading.

But he was back at the JobServe Community Stadium for the Crawley game and had some words of encouragement for Barnes.

“I worked with Dill for a long time and know what he’s about," he told the Gazette.

“I was really pleased and excited (to see him playing regularly this season) and I thought he’d be able to show his potential.

“From what I gather, he’s done well.

“Obviously the manager has made a decision to mix it up a bit (against Crawley).

"But these are all learning experiences for him.

“He’s so early on in his career and all of these experiences are only going to make him stronger as a person and a goalkeeper and stand him in good stead."

While disappointed for Barnes, Walker was delighted for former Watford goalkeeper Gilmartin - known as Reg - and enjoyed his trip back to north Essex.

“I was pleased for Reg – he had a good first league start," said the former Chelsea man.

“I keep watching with a keen eye and the first thing I do after a game when I check the scores is check the Colchester score.

“I’m still in contact with the guys, some of them on a day-to-day basis.

“It will always be that way I think and it’s a club that I hold very dear to the heart.

“It was good to be back and good to see everyone – my lasting memories of the club are the people who have worked here for a long time - the staff behind the scenes and the players.

“It was really good to come back and watch a very impressive performance.

“I thought they saw the game out very well and they never really looked in any danger of losing the game.

“There was only really one team that was going to win and it was comfortable in the end.

“I was impressed with the new lads that I hadn’t seen – (Luke) Norris, (Harry) Pell and (Frank) Nouble and the lads that I know did really well, too."

Walker had a rare weekend off because of the international break, meaning a blank weekend for Reading.

“It’s been good," said the 27-year-old.

"I’ve settled in really quickly and well and I’ve managed to play the last six league games.

“I’ve been happy with how it’s gone, so I’m really pleased at the moment."