COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal believes summer signing Luke Gambin can become a key asset next season.

The winger penned a two-year deal after joining from Luton Town in June.

He became the club's first close-season addition, after being released by the Hatters when his contract expired at the end of last season.

And McGreal believes he will prove a useful acquisition - both for his creativity and finishing and also for his football brain.

“He’s got a wonderful left foot but an even better brain," said the U's boss.

“You can see that already and, in a way, we haven’t really had that type of player for us, so we’re hoping Gams is going to bring the supply but we also know he’s going to shoot.

“He does that in training quite a lot and you know you’re going to get a bit of an end product from him, which is great.

“He was outstanding for Barnet and he also played a big role in getting Luton up.

“It didn’t really go his way at Luton last season and they invested heavily and won the league.

“He wasn’t able to play there but the type of person he is, he went out and got his game time on loan.

“We know he’s up and ready."

Colchester play their final pre-season friendly at National League outfit Dover Athletic on Saturday.

It will be their last game before the big League Two kick-off at home to Port Vale on August 3.

McGreal's men lost 2-1 at home to Championship new-boys Charlton Athletic, in their last home friendly at the JobServe Community Stadium.

They took the lead early in the second half thanks to an unstoppable long-range effort from Luke Norris.

However, Charlton snatched a deserved equaliser following a close-range effort from Abraham Odoh.

And they grabbed their winner from virtually the last kick of the game.