Leeds United's England Under-21 defender Paul Shepherd could be on his way to Colchester United.

And there was a reserve team trial today for former Spurs, Portsmouth and England Youth striker Robbie Simpson and ex-Norwich City and West Ham full-back Kenny Brown.

Layer Road boss Steve Whitton revealed today that U's scout Paul Dyer watched Elland Road full-back Shepherd in action during last night's 2-1 reserve team win over Manchester United.

Whitton said: "Shepherd wants to leave Leeds to play First team football and we will always be interested in any young player who is available."

Shepherd has made just one Premiership appearance for Leeds, plus one loan outing for First Division Tranmere Rovers and six games for Scottish First Division club Ayr United.

Shepherd was not, however, in the U's reserve line-up to play Bristol Rovers at Layer Road this afternoon.

The side did include 23-year-old former Tottenham trainee centre-forward Simpson and 32-year-old Brown, son of former England and West Ham defender Ken Brown.

Simpson has to date made just two League appearances for Portsmouth, while Brown has more than 300 League appearances to his credit.

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