Dillon Barnes is ‘very highly thought of’ at Colchester United and has a ‘good future’ at the club.

That is the view of U's head coach John McGreal, who wants the young goalkeeper to now embrace the 'next stage of his development' at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Barnes, who has made two senior appearances for the U’s, has been on the bench for their last eight games in League Two as back-up for first-choice shot-stopper, Sam Walker.

The 22-year-old, who has loan spells at non-league clubs Welling United and Hemel Hempstead Town this season, was in fine form for the club's under-23 side in their 1-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers on Monday night and boss McGreal says he rates him highly.

McGreal added: “Dillon has warranted his position on the bench.

“He’s been out on loan and done terrifically well – he’s been absolutely fantastic.

“He’s cruised the under-23 games too and the next stage for Dillon in his development at the football club is to keep himself in and around it.

“He’s done what we’ve asked of him with flying colours so now if Sam goes down, Dillon will be the next one in.

“That’s why we’ve kept him around it over the last six weeks.

“He’s very highly thought of and one who we think has got a good future at the football club.”

Meanwhile, Colchester are awaiting the scan results on winger Brennan Dickenson's thigh injury before putting an estimate on any likely comeback date.

Dickenson has missed the U's last three matches in League Two after suffering the injury in their 2-1 triumph over Luton Town, on Good Friday.