Ipswich Town bad-boy Adam Tanner will not be signing for Colchester United this week - if at all.

U's boss Steve Whitton said today: "Tanner has to prove to me and everyone else that he deserves another chance and he's already used up two of those."

The 26-year-old utility player, handed a free transfer by Ipswich Town, was beginning the task of rebuilding his shattered professional football career today having narrowly escaped a jail sentence at Chelmsford Court yesterday for his second drink-driving offence in recent years.

Tanner, who lives in Chelmsford, was banned from driving for three years, placed on probation for 12 months and ordered to do 80 hours' community service.

The Portman Road club had already stood by Tanner following a drugs incident three years ago when the player tested positive for cocaine.

Whitton insisted: "I won't be rushing into anything. If Colchester United do decide to sign Tanner it will be nearer the March 23 transfer deadline than any time this week.

"He's got to show me and a lot of other people at Layer Road that he deserves another chance. I'll be keeping a very close eye on the situation and will be talking to both Adam and Ipswich manager George Burley about his situation.

"My mind is not made up about him. He's been injured for a while anyway so I will want to watch him playing again before making up my mind whether he wants to play pro football badly enough."

Whitton did offer Tanner a ray of hope, however, whether he eventually goes on to sign for Colchester or not. The U's boss said: "The fact the player is on a free transfer will alert a lot of clubs to have a good look at him.

"He has, after all, played a number of games in the First Division. But my understanding is Adam has been earning very good money at Ipswich.

"He may have to be prepared to take a drop in salary and drop down a division or two to get his career on the right road again."

Former Ipswich midfielder Simon Milton, now a member of the club's backroom staff, said in court he had known Tanner for ten years.

He said Ipswich Town had made a decision that Tanner could not continue but he added: "He will be paid up to the end of his contract and hopefully it will help him to get another club."

Meanwhile, the U's reserve team game, scheduled for Swindon Town this afternoon, was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.

A Colchester move is still in the balance for Adam Tanner

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