Colchester United’s on-going quest to receive compensation for the departure of former manager Paul Lambert looks likely to end in a tribunal, according to chairman Robbie Cowling.

The U’s have been seeking to come to an agreement with Coca-Cola League One rivals Norwich City, following Lambert’s departure in August.

The two East Anglian clubs have been talking over recent weeks, in a bid to come to a settlement.

However, they have been unable to agree on a suitable figure for Lambert.

And the matter now looks likely to be decided by an independent body.

Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling said: “We can’t agree at the moment and it’s looking like it will go to a tribunal.

“It’s a matter that is out of our hands.

“I don’t think it will happen quickly and there will be no knee-jerk reactions from us.

“It is not a matter that can be rushed and I will do whatever is best for Colchester United Football Club - whether it takes a long time or not.”

Lambert quit Colchester on August 18 after just ten months in charge, in order to take over from Bryan Gunn as Norwich manager.

U’s supremo Cowling had initially agreed to talk to the Canaries about compensation, before Lambert handed in his resignation.

He had a number of conversations with Norwich chief executive Dave McNally and turned down their request for permission to speak to Lambert.

Lambert told Cowling that he was finding it difficult to focus on his role at the U’s.

And that led to the Colchester chairman allowing Norwich to interview Lambert.

But that was on the proviso that they did not offer him employment or induced him to breach his U’s contract, until compensation was agreed.

Now a tribunal looms, with the two clubs still wide apart in their estimation.