John McGreal says he will make a decision on whether or not to offer contracts to free agents Will Hoskins and Jermaine Grandison within the next fortnight.

But the Colchester United head coach says he also has other players on his radar, as he looks to bolster his squad ahead the second half of the League Two campaign.

Former Bristol Rovers striker Hoskins and ex-Shrewsbury Town defender Grandison have both been training with the U’s and featured in their under-23 game with Derby County, on Monday night.

The duo are likely to get another chance to impress in the club’s under-23 home match with Crystal Palace, on Monday night.

And McGreal confirmed that he is looking to strengthen in both defence and attack, with free transfers one area they are looking to exploit.

McGreal said: “It’s an avenue we’re looking at to try and strengthen the team.

“They played the other night and they need games.

“They’re here training and they’re unattached, so we can sign them now.

“We’ll make that decision over the next week or two and hopefully we can get another game into them, to see where they’re at fitness-wise.

“Come January, will clubs be letting their peripheral players leave? I doubt it very much.

“There are loans to tap into but they’re generally young loans.

“We do tend to get injuries in the centre-back areas.

“Centre-forwards are where the money is. If you get a good goal-scorer, they tend to win you the game.

“That’s the two areas we’ve been looking at.

“Hence why we’ve brought these boys in and why we’ve got another one or two on the radar.

“I know Micky Mellon really well and spoke to him at depth about Jermaine.

“He gave me the lowdown and told me what he’s been through – a couple of promotions at Shrewsbury.

“We know what he’s about and we’ll wait and see what happens.”