HIGHLY-RATED full-back Ben Wyatt is set to follow in the footsteps of Femi Akinwande and sign a deal with Colchester United.

The former Ipswich Town and Norwich City youngster will link up with the U’s on a one-year development contract, after impressing for MALDON AND TIPTREE in Ryman division north this season.

Wyatt follows Akinwande in joining Colchester after impressing for the Jammers as part of their link-up with the League One side.

The left-back was part of Norwich’s FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2012/13 and trained with England under-18s, two years ago.

Maldon manager and U’s academy coach Steve Ball said: “Ben was at Norwich City and then Ipswich Town and he has a good pedigree.

“He took a step back to come and play for Maldon and Tiptree and this is the carrot for the players we have.

“The stronger the project gets, the more players it will attract and there’s the incentive of earning an under-21 contract at Colchester United.

“People can see someone like Femi Akinwande making his debut for Colchester’s first team, having been playing for Maldon only a few months ago.”

Maldon were left kicking their heels yesterday after their home derby match against HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The Jammers were hoping to follow up last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Wroxham where both Billy Roast and Rhys Henry were on target but were left frustrated by the weather.

“Given the conditions, I think it was in everyone’s best interests that the game was called off,” added Ball.

“Our form has been great since the start of the year.

“We had a bit of a blip against Dereham but it was really positive against Wroxham, who are down there fighting for their lives.

“We approached the game in the right way and it was a convincing performance.

“I think the players are maturing well – the one thing they’ve learnt is that it’s a difficult league and every single game presents a different challenge.

“Now we’ve got our heads around that, we’ve shown some great form.

“It’s a shame that we haven’t got more games left this year.

“But it shows that we’ve been on a really good run and it all bodes well for next season.”

Maldon head to play Soham Town Rangers this weekend, looking to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.