Jamie Cureton looks unlikely to secure a deal at former club Colchester United.

The veteran striker has been training with the U's under-21 squad while he looks for a new club, following his departure from Dagenham and Redbridge at the end of last season.

Cureton, who won the Championship Golden Boot with Colchester in the 2006-07 season, is looking to stay in the Football League and last week praised the U's facilities.

However, the 40-year-old striker looks unlikely to return to the U's on a permanent basis, after first-team coach John McGreal appeared to rule out offering Cureton a contract.

Speaking at the U's Open Day, boss McGreal said: “Jamie asked to come in and keep himself fit while he looks for a club and he’s played a couple of games for Maldon and Tiptree, who we have a link-up with.

“But we have four forwards and there’s already a lot of competition in that area.

“He’s been welcome to come in and train and you never know in the coming weeks but at his present moment in time, I can’t see a role for him.”