COLCHESTER United could give trialists Richard Kone and Bayli Spencer-Adams another chance to impress when they take on Watford in their latest pre-season friendly tomorrow.

Kone, formerly of Essex Senior League side Athletic Newham, caught the eye in the second half of the U’s 3-0 win at Billericay Town, on Tuesday night.

The striker scored one goal, created another and also hit the woodwork for the visitors against their National League South opponents.

Former Watford defender Spencer-Adams featured in the first half of Colchester’s opening friendly, as boss Hayden Mullins fielded different sides in each half.

Colchester head to play Premier League new boys Watford in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Hornets' training ground this weekend and Mullins could give the duo another chance to shine.

He said: “I’m not too sure yet – it’ll be a similar group.

“We’ll have two teams and we’ll go to Watford and do two 60 minutes.

“We’ll need the numbers, so they’ve still got a chance to impress."

Mullins spent four years at Watford, coaching in their academy.

He also had two caretaker spells in charge of the Hornets in the Premier League, presiding over games against Manchester City and Arsenal at the end of the 2019-20 season.

Mullins, who left Watford last September and joined Colchester soon after, says he is looking forward to returning to his former club.

He said: “It’s nice to go back and see some old friends.

“I left and I didn’t really get a chance to say goodbye to too many people.

“It’ll be good to go and see some people that I haven’t seen for a while.

“It’ll be a good test for us – they’re a good side.

“They’ve got some very good athletes, as you would expect a Premier League side to have.

“It’ll be a tough test for us but it’s one we’re looking forward to."

Colchester played with three at the back throughout their opening friendly, at Billericay.

Mullins added: “We’re looking at a few different things and I think pre-season is a time to have a look at that.

“At times last season, we went into a back three when we were looking to try and get a bit more possession, chase the game and press a bit higher.

“It’s an area that we’re looking at and now is the time to look at different formations and have a tweak with them.

“The players have worked really hard.

“I know it’s easy for me to say but the first week was very good.

“We got a lot of work into the boys, a lot of runs and they applied themselves really well.

“With their first game, we wanted to try and press high.

“We spoke about when we got the ball back what we wanted to try and do and we did it, I felt.

“The work so far has been first class.

“The boys have been excellent and long may it continue."