Colchester United are likely to learn within the next 48 hours whether or not they can complete the signing of Cardiff City midfielder Tommy O’Sullivan.

The Bluebirds youngster has been training with the U’s and featured for their under-23 side in their 3-2 win at neighbours Ipswich Town on Monday, scoring their opener.

O’Sullivan, who is out of contract at Cardiff at the end of the season, is highly regarded by Colchester head coach John McGreal who is keen to bolster his squad in this month’s transfer window.

McGreal said: “The situation with Tommy O’Sullivan is ongoing at this moment in time.

“We’re speaking to his representatives to see where we are and we should know a little bit more in the next couple of days.

“He played 45 minutes the other day and he’s got involved with the training with the first team.

“That’s where he wants to pitch himself.

“He’s a player that I’ve known of and liked as he’s come through the under-23s at Cardiff.”

Colchester have ended their pursuit of Cork City winger Stephen Dooley, who has been allowed to go back to Ireland.

Dooley had been training with the U’s and also played for their under-23 side against Ipswich this week.

“Stephen had done really well in training and also in the (Ipswich) game,” added McGreal, who has confirmed midfielder Glen Kamara has returned to Arsenal following his loan spell.

“But we have players in and around the first team at the moment who can do that role.

“The question was for us whether he was different to what we’ve got and the answer is possibly not so it just frees us up to see what else is about.”