DEFENDER Tobi Jinadu and attacking midfielder Gary Cohen continued their bid for fitness with outings for St Albans City Reserves on Wednesday. Powerhouse Jinadu featured in the pre-season friendly against a Watford XI and played a cameo role in injury

DEFENDER Tobi Jinadu and attacking midfielder Gary Cohen continued their bid for fitness with outings for St Albans City Reserves on Wednesday.

Powerhouse Jinadu featured in the pre-season friendly against a Watford XI and played a cameo role in injury time as an emergency attacker at Maidenhead United in the Blue Square South on Bank Holiday Monday.

The giant defender was signed by manager Steve Castle following his impressive display against Watford in the summer when he looked imperious in the air and good on the ball. He helped ensure a clean sheet for City reserves as they went on to win 4-0 against Windsor & Eton Reserves in the Capital League Western Division.

Winger Cohen made his City debut as a starter on Monday but Castle had spoken of his need to build up fitness after a spell out of the game. The former Grimsby Town and Gretna player featured for an hour of the reserve clash in an attacking role alongside Simon Martin.

Right back Lee Protheroe also made his return from injury and showed enough to suggest he could push for a place in Steve Castle's back four for the matches with Eastleigh at Clarence Park on Saturday and Bishop's Stortford also at home on Tuesday, September 2.

Castle is looking for a stronger squad with City having collected just two points from five Blue Square South fixtures. The addition of Protheroe and Jinadu to challenge for defensive spots and the potential of the lively Cohen could be the boost he is looking for.

Midfielder James Archer, aged 19, also put in a good display for the reserve side to boost his prospects of continued involvement in the first team squad.

Hamza Twomey and substitute Kerron Birch each scored twice to secure the 4-0 success for City reserves in their opening match of the campaign.

St Albans City Reserves: C. Adams, L. Protheroe (M. Leon 46), E. Pascoal, J. Archer, T. Jinadu, J. Lamonaca, J. Davidge (K. Birch 61), J. Finn, S. Martin, G. Cohen (J. Shaw 61), H. Twomey.