Chris Beech said he will reconsider Lewis Alessandra’s claims for a Carlisle United recall after leaving him out of the side recently.

The experienced forward has been on the bench for United’s last four games.

Alessandra was an unused sub in the 2-1 defeat at Colchester.

His spell among the subs comes despite the 32-year-old having been a regular starter in Carlisle’s good run of form before the turn of the year.

Beech started with Joshua Kayode, Gime Toure and Brennan Dickenson in attack in Essex, with goalscorer Jon Mellish in attacking midfield.

The head coach then brought on debutant Cedwyn Scott and Omari Patrick after Colchester had gone ahead.

Asked about Alessandra’s omission, Beech said: “All the lads are great lads.

“He [Alessandra] has not been quite where he was before, and he has had the [corona]virus.

“He is training very hard, there’s nothing wrong with his attitude at all, and he will get opportunity in the future.

“I just think Joshua Kayode as No9 in the last three games has excelled. I think Lewis Alessandra has played his best football for us as a No9.

“And then the choice is between Lewi and Jon [Mellish]. You’re playing away, there’s going to be some headers, tackles at Colchester away that Jon did meet and make, and he scored.

“That’s why he didn’t play.”

Beech, though, suggested he would consider Alessandra’s claims for a recall against his former club Morecambe this weekend.

“Maybe it’s something we need to look at going forward,” he said. “We’re obviously playing his old club on Saturday.

“[Against Colchester] it was the right decision to play JJ in the right position in the right game.”

Alessandra has scored seven goals in 32 appearances so far this campaign.