COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal says talks with triallist defender Lewis Kinsella are still "ongoing".

The left-back produced another impressive display in Monday's pre-season friendly at home to Crystal Palace, going head-to-head with Premier League star Andros Townsend.

Afterwards McGreal admitted he would be having another conversation with the 21-year-old this week, before making an announcement about whether he had done enough to secure a full-time contract.

"It's ongoing with Lewis," said McGreal, who was also impressed with the former Aston Villa youngster after last week's solid display in the 1-0 friendly defeat against Ipswich Town.

"He's still on trial.

"People know we're still looking for a full-back after what's happened with Briggsy (the injured Matthew Briggs).

"So we're looking in that area and Lewis has come in and done well, playing well against a top-quality opponent in Andros Townsend, an England international, on Monday.

"He had a bit of cramp at the end so we had to take him off and we'll assess him.

"He'll need to recover and he'll need a bit of R and R, but he had some good minutes and we'll see how we go.

"We'll have a chat with him over the next couple of days.

"We've got another game at the weekend so we'll see where we go in terms of the next developments."

McGreal was delighted with his side's performance against Palace on Monday.

Jordon Mutch's ninth-minute goal separated the sides but Colchester went agonisingly close through Chris Porter, who headed against the right-hand post, Doug Loft and Sammie Szmodics.

"It was excellent," said McGreal.

"In the first ten minutes we had to get to grips with their movement, but after we'd solved that problem we created three or four really good chances of our own.

"On another day we'd have scored a goal but it was still pleasing to produce another positive 90 minutes against tough, quality Premier League opposition.

"Palace fielded a very strong team and are boys took that as a compliment.

"They'd come fully loaded, with players who had played in the FA Cup final and been around the England squad.

"From our point of view, it was one of those games where everyone wanted to play and there was a great buzz at the end of the match.

"Even though we lost, the boys got back in the dressing room afterwards and they were chirping away.

"There's a real feel-good vibe at the moment."