Colchester United manager Steve Whitton has scotched speculation that he was set to sign Plymouth Argyle central defender Adam Barrett.

Dagenham-born Barrett, a former Leyton Orient trainee, is believed to be keen to return to the Essex area, but Whitton insisted the player will not be coming to Layer Road next season.

The U's boss said: "Barrett's name has been mentioned to me all season and we've had him watched a couple of times.

"I am told he is looking to get back this way, but we already have players as good as him at Colchester.

"As a 20-year-old he would also cost us money we cannot afford because Argyle have offered him a new contract."

Whitton, meanwhile, was in London on Thursday for talks about his own future with U's chairman Peter Heard and to discuss the terms of new contracts for Aaron Skelton and Tony Lock. Skelton and Lock are the only two current players yet to re-sign.

Whitton said he was also hoping to persuade the chairman to allow him to bring in four new players.

One of those players could be former Spurs central defender Lee Kersey, who is currently turning out for Ryman League premier division highfliers Chesham United.

Play-anywhere Layer Road favourite Karl Duguid was last night voted the U's Players' Player of the Year at the club's presentation evening at Colne Valley Golf Club.

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