COLCHESTER United boss Hayden Mullins says trialists Richard Kone and Bayli Spencer-Adams will be given longer to try to earn a contract at the club.

The young duo have been with the U's throughout pre-season and have featured in all of their friendlies to date.

Former Athletic Newham striker Kone and ex-Watford defender Spencer-Adams both appeared as late substitutes in Colchester's 3-0 friendly defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, on Wednesday night.

And Mullins says the pair are likely to be given more minutes when the U's host League One side Gillingham in their next pre-season game tomorrow.

Mullins said: “They’ve got a little bit longer with us.

“I think it’s down to them to try and force our arm really.

“They didn’t get too long (against Spurs) to impress – perhaps they get a little bit longer, on Saturday.

“It’s always tough against that Tottenham team and we’d have got nothing out of the game if we’d have gone half hearted into it and they’d have kept the ball and dominated the game.

“It was important that we started quite strong and we solved different problems and got stretched.

“We might see a bit more of the trialists on Saturday."

Gazette:

New face - Bayli Spencer-Adams warms up for Colchester United during their pre-season friendly against Spurs Picture: STEVE BRADING

Colchester used almost all of their first-team squad against Spurs aside from two players.

Noah Chilvers, the U's 2020-21 Player of the Year and goalkeeper Dean Gerken did not feature in the match against the Premier League side.

“Noah’s nursing a bit of a thigh issue, from the Watford game," said Mullins.

“He didn’t train on Monday or Tuesday and we sat him out and tried to build him up a little bit.

“I’ve said to Noah that I’d rather get it right now and spend a bit more time on it if we need to, rather than push him and try and get him to do it, when he’s not right.

“He looks OK and I’m sure he’ll be training when he’s ready.

“Gerks has got a bit of a knock that he’s nursing as well.

“He was here (for the Spurs game) but he’s just got a little issue that he’s looking after.

“It’s good for Shamal (George) to get his first 90 minutes and I don’t think he’ll be too long – it’s just one that needs looking after."

Colchester's friendly against Gillingham takes place at the JobServe Community Stadium tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.