Colchester United have held discussions with Richard Brindley about signing the defender on a permanent basis.

The U's are keen to snap up the right-back, who played eight games on loan with them this season and played his part in keeping them in League One.

Brindley, 22, is a free agent after being released by Rotherham United, earlier this week.

U's boss Tony Humes said: “He’s certainly one of the players we’d be interested in.

“Richard grew during his time with us and in the last few weeks, I thought he looked a really good player.

“I had talks with him (on Thursday morning) but he has options with other clubs, having been released by Rotherham.”

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