Steve Bradshaw has insisted Colchester United’s on-going compensation battle will not distract them from their promotion quest.

The U’s chief executive is optimistic that a settlement for former manager Paul Lambert’s departure to rivals Norwich City is ‘weeks’ away.

The East Anglian clubs have been in talks over compensation for Lambert since he quit Colchester to take over at the Canaries in August.

The issue has already rumbled on for more than two months and still looks likely to be settled by a tribunal.

However, Colchester have stressed that they will not be rushed into agreeing a fee.

And Bradshaw said the U’s are focused solely on their bid to win promotion from Coca-Cola League One.

Bradshaw said: “We’ll be meeting in the near future and we will have an honest conversation about whether we can resolve it or not.

“But the only thing we are absolutely focused on at this football club is promotion - anything else is a distraction to us.

“A resolution is much nearer.

“But there’s nothing really to say until we can sit down and have a conversation with Norwich City, which they are happy to have.

“It’s not a combative relationship between the two clubs.”

Meanwhile, Colchester boss Aidy Boothroyd believes defender Paul Reid can play a big part in his U’s revolution.

Reid is yet to figure under Boothroyd as he has been recovering from a long-term knee injury.

However, the former Barnsley centre-half is now nearing a first-team comeback, after more than seven months on the sidelines.

Boothroyd said: “Paul has been in full training with the first team.

“He’s played 30 and then 45 minutes in the reserves, so he’s pushing hard.

“The great thing about Paul is his attitude and his willingness to work hard.

“Sometimes that can back-fire because he can do too much, too soon so we’re having to put the reins on him.

“But he’s a good lad and I’m sure that when he’s ready he’ll be a real asset to us.”

l Striker Scott Vernon could be set for a lengthy injury lay-off.

The 25-year-old has returned to Colchester for treatment, having had his loan move to Gillingham cut short by injury.

Vernon suffered ankle ligament damage on his Gills debut, their 2-0 defeat at MK Dons last weekend.