Colchester boss Geraint Williams reckons his players will benefit from the international break in this weekend's clash with Crystal Palace.The Us have this week been without Matthew Connolly and Medy Elito, who have been called into England's Under-21 and Under-18 squads, while Bela Balogh is away with Hungary and Mark Yeates has been on Republic of Ireland B duty.

Many managers find the two-week break a distraction, but Williams is happy for his players to gain experience of international football.

"It's great for the players involved," he told the Gazette.

"They work very hard and it's nice for both them and the club. It shows that people come to Colchester United and watch our games.

"It gives a player like Medy Elito a chance to go away and see how things are done at the very top and it's something for them to aspire to and bring back to the club."

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