Striker Keith Scott has made a surprise return to Colchester United today and if everything goes well he could be a fully-fledged U's player by the end of the week.

The 33-year-old Reading target man was included in the U's Reserves side to play Cambridge United at Layer Road this afternoon (Tuesday).

And team boss Steve Whitton said: "If everything goes well I will be looking for Keith to sign. We will definitely be discussing the situation after the game.

"Keith did very well for us during his loan spell last October and we did make an offer for him then.

"Unfortunatley he still had some unresolved business at Reading to sort out, but I've been keeping an eye on him since then. He's settled his differences with the club now and is a free agent, so it's up to him.

"We'll be playing things by ear. I don't think he's played for a while so we don't really know how fit he is."

Scott made five League appearances for the U's last October before his loan spell was brought to an abrupt end by a knee injury in the 3-1 defeat at Peterborough. He scored just one goal on his debut at Port Vale.

Meanwhile, midfielder Sam Okafor and central defender Nicky Gyoury - both in the third and final year of their Layer Road scholarships - are being released by the U's.

The 18-year-old duo join Jack Wignall, Sean Hiller and Kelechi Opara who were all released by the club earlier this season.

All five youngsters enjoyed first team experience with the U's - Opara, Wignall and Okafor actually making League appearances - while Hillier and Gyoury were squad members on at least one occasion.

Whitton said: "Only time will tell whether they go on to play professional football and prove me wrong. These are always tough decisions, very difficult to make. I wanted them to stay, but Nicky and Sam came to me and wanted to know now.

"We will be circulating their names to all the other clubs."

Friday night's home game against Brentford is not included in the U's new "Quid for Kids" scheme.

Former U's central defender David Greene, who joined Third Division promotion chasers Cardiff City at the start of the season, has been handed a free transfer.

Keith Scott - could make his move to Layer Road permanent

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.