Colchester United boss Steve Whitton is ready to give youth a chance the moment the U's Second Division status is safe for another season.

Whitton said he was very keen to see what players such as French teenager Thomas Pinault and Chris Keeble, whose contracts are up at the end of the season, can really do.

The U's boss said: "Not until they have a good run in the side will we really see what they have to offer."

Heybridge Swifts striker Kris Lee is another young player attracting Whitton's attention.

Currently enjoying life as one of the top scorers with 20 goals in the Ryman League premier division, Whitton revealed he has already had the 22-year-old Swifts goal-getter watched this season.

But the U's boss warned: "Everyone who is scoring goals in the Ryman League is going to attract attention and we are one of the teams who are looking at him."

First Division pace-setters Fulham and the U's Division Two rivals Cambridge United are also believed to be interested in the Scraley Road favourite.

The U's have never lasted longer than four seasons in a division following promotion and the last time they did that was between 1977-81 when Bobby Roberts' side was promoted from the old Fourth Division.

Whitton said: "I would love a crack at smashing that record and I firmly believe I already have the players good enough to keep us on track next season.

"It is a great achievement keeping a little club like Colchester United in the Second Division.

"I am looking to strengthen the squad all the time and if the right player at the right price comes along we'll be in for him.

"But I'm not going to be panicked into bringing somebody in just because they are available."

The U's boss has to replace midfielder Andy Arnott, who has been forced into early retirement, and striker Tony Lock, who has been handed a free transfer.

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