Glen Kamara needs to replicate his training performances in matches more after returning to parent club Arsenal following his disappointing loan spell with Colchester United.

That is the view of U’s head coach John McGreal, following the completion of the midfielder’s loan spell at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Kamara struggled to nail down a starting place in the U’s after joining them on loan in August, managing just one league start.

The Finland under-21 international will now try and find a new club after returning to the Emirates.

McGreal said: “We’ve let Glen go back to Arsenal so that he can try and fix himself up with another club.

“It’s unfortunate timing – I’ve spoken to Glen and he’s probably one of the best trainers you’ll see.

“It’s just replicating that in matches; he’ll have a good game and then when we’d ask him to back it up he’d be indifferent at times.

“They are things that he has to work on but he’s a really good young lad and he’s got a good reputation.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries in that area but we played Kurtis (Guthrie) in that area and I just felt that we needed him in and around that position at times.

“When Glen did come in he was finding it tough, because one or two of the boys weren’t midfielders at times.”

Colchester, who are chasing Cardiff City youngster Tommy O’Sullivan, are hoping to bolster their midfield options in the transfer window following Kamara’s exit.

“We’re probably looking at loans but there are a couple of unattached players around in areas that we’ve been looking at,” added McGreal.

“There are one or two irons in the fire and we’re hoping something will happen.”