COLCHESTER United will give former Southampton youngster Richard Bakary another chance to impress after he linked up with the club’s academy on trial.

The 21-year-old right-back featured for the U’s under-23 side in their 2-1 win over Cardiff City in Professional Development League Two, on Monday afternoon.

Bakary is on the lookout for a new club having been released by Southampton last summer, after spending more than four years at the Premier League outfit.

The young full-back, who did not make a first-team appearance during his time with the Saints, is hoping to secure a deal.

And after playing 90 minutes for the U’s under-23s against Cardiff, where he provided the cross for Tarique Hyde to head the winner, he will have a second opportunity to shine when Kevin Horlock’s side host QPR under-23s at the JobServe Community Stadium next Monday night.

Colchester are then likely to make a decision after that on whether he will be offered a deal.

Bakary joined Southampton from Chelsea in 2014 and penned his first professional contract at St Mary’s in May, 2016.

He was an unused substitute for the Saints’ under-21 side in their 2-1 victory at Colchester in the Checkatrade Trophy, the following season.

But the full-back, who is a Benin international, was released and last season spent time on trial at Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Colchester will check on the fitness of winger Ryan Gondoh after he limped out of their under-23 win over Cardiff with a hamstring problem.

The 21-year-old, who has been on the bench for John McGreal’s first team in each of their last 14 league and cup matches, was forced off midway through the first half of the development side’s win over the Bluebirds.

Colchester are playing a ‘waiting game’ on defender Frankie Kent’s fitness, according to head coach McGreal.

The centre-back has missed the U’s last three games with a back injury sustained in the U’s 2-0 defeat at Crawley Town, on New Year’s Day.

Kent suffered the injury when he landed following an aerial challenge, which caused his sacroiliac joint to lock up.

The 23-year-old has had an injection to ease the pain he was experiencing and the U’s are hoping he might be fit to return for their trip to play Crewe Alexandra, on Saturday.

McGreal said: “Frankie is still nursing his back injury.

“We’re hoping that he might become available this week but it’s going to be a waiting game.”