COLCHESTER United have made Kane Vincent-Young a ‘good offer’ in their ongoing attempts to persuade him to stay at the club, according to boss John McGreal.

The U’s have still not given up hope of keeping the defender at the JobServe Community Stadium, despite him spending time on trial at neighbours Ipswich Town.

Vincent-Young, whose contract has now expired at Colchester, played in Town’s friendly against Kilmarnock on Sunday, as part of their pre-season trip to Spain.

But he is yet to sign a deal for Ipswich and U’s head coach McGreal says they are still talking to the former Spurs youngster about the possibility of staying put.

McGreal told the Daily Gazette: “We’re trying hard to keep Kane.

“We’re still in conversations with him and the position with him is that he’s out of contract and free to speak to whoever.

“It’s not as if we think it’s a done deal – we’ve got our offer on the table for Kane and he knows that offer is there.

“It’s a good offer that we’ve made him but he’s able to do whatever he wants and that then opens up one or two channels for somebody else.

“It’s one that we have to be patient with.”

Colchester continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly at newly-promoted National League side Braintree Town tonight.

The U’s will take their first-team squad to Cressing Road, looking to give more of their players valuable minutes as their build up to the new League Two campaign.

“Braintree will be another good exercise for us,” said McGreal, who takes his squad for their pre-season trip to Cheshire tomorrow.

“It’s going up to a different level as such.

“They had a great season last year in winning promotion and Diaz (Wright) went there on loan and did particularly well, so we know that it’s going to be a really good exercise for us.

“We’ll be looking to try and bring a similar squad again.”

Colchester gave several of their under-23 players a chance to impress in the friendly win at Maldon and Tiptree last weekend and McGreal says the likes of Ryan Clampin, Decarrey Sheriff and Diaz Wright could feature again tonight.

McGreal added: “We’ve said to the young boys that when opportunity knocks, you have to try and take it.

“You have to make a career in the game yourself, because it doesn’t get given to you.

“It’s an opportunity so let’s see what they’ve got.

“Ryan’s done well – he’s been out on loan at Maldon last season and we know what he’s capable of.

“He’s a left winger and now a full-back, too and he was excellent in the first half for us (against Maldon).

“Aaron Barnes has also come into the fold as well, having come in from Charlton in January.