Colchester United went French again yesterday with the signing of teenage triallist Thomas Pinault from AS Cannes.

An attacking 17-year-old midfielder, Pinault is the fourth Frenchman after Stephane Pounewatchy, Fabrice Richard, Steve Germain to be brought to Layer Road since manager Mick Wadsworth took over at the helm in mid-January.

And including French Zairos teenager Lomana Tresor Lua Lua, who was already at the club, the U's could now boast five players from across the English Channel if Pinault makes the grade.

He goes straight into the side with Germain for the U's reserves' Avon Insurance Combination game at Oxford tonight.

Meanwhile, Lua Lua is ruled out of Saturday's crucial all-ticket Division Two outing with fellow strugglers Northampton Town at Sixfields because he is starting a three-match ban following his self-inflicted Easter Monday sending-off at Burnley.

Lua Lua will also miss the home games against Bournemouth next Tuesday and Lincoln City a week on following Saturday.

Central defender David Greene will come back into the reckoning at Northampton after completing his one-match suspension.

Tickets are selling well for Saturday's Sixfields clash and with 500 of the U's 800 allocation already gone, fans are advised to snap up the remaining 300 quickly.

Prices are £10.50 (adults); £7.50 (concessions) and supporters have until 5pm on Friday to purchase the tickets.

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