Colchester United boss John McGreal has taken a look at Motherwell goalkeeper Dean Brill this week, as he contemplates adding to his team before the January transfer window closes.

Luton-born Brill, 31, signed for the Steelmen in the summer but has yet to play a game for the Scottish Premier Division side, following three successful years at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

U’s chief McGreal currently has first-choice stopper Sam Walker and rookie Dillon Barnes at his disposal and is keen to add to that area, following the sudden retirement of James Bransgrove.

McGreal, who this week signed Cardiff City striker Eli Phipps on a deal until next summer – the youngster beginning life in Essex with the U’s under-23s, said: “He (Brill) trained with us on Monday and Tuesday this week but has returned up north as they (Motherwell) have a game with Rangers at the weekend in the Scottish Cup.

“Tony Humes (director of football) is in contact with his representatives and with James (Bransgrove) catching us on the hop a bit, that is an area where we are looking to strengthen.”

Brill began his career with Luton, making 94 appearances for the Hatters, and went on to have spells at Gillingham, Oldham, Barnet and Luton again, before moving to Scotland.

McGreal takes his in-form Colchester side, with 23 points from a possible last 27, to an equally buoyant Exeter City tomorrow, boosted by Tarique Fosu extending his loan stay at the club until the end of the season.

Joining Fosu soon, could be Cardiff City midfielder Tommy O’Sullivan, who has spent time on-loan with Newport and Port Vale, but McGreal admitted he was still keen to add more to his squad.

“We would like to bring in one, but if we don’t we will go with what we have got,” added McGreal, who has led his side into League Two’s final play-off position.

“We are probably looking at one position. We did not know what was happening with Tarique, so he has filled a bit of a void. We are possibly looking around the midfield area or at an another striker, but with our three centre-forwards doing really well, do we need another player in that area? We have good competition there.”

He added: “We are getting some of the injured players back. Doug Loft is out on the training ground with Lewis Kinsella at the minute and we are talking a couple of weeks with them.

“Matt Briggs is having a game tonight (last night) so hopefully he will get 90 minutes under his belt.

“We will then have a two-week break after Exeter so that will be good for him (Briggs) and the other boys too.”

One player who won’t be featuring tomorrow is Jermaine Grandison (hip injury).

The former Shrewsbury defender signed for the club three days before Christmas but has yet to feature for the U’s and recently picked up an injury in training.

“Jermaine has had a setback which is unfortunate,” explained McGreal.

“It’s frustrating for both parties, as we wanted to get him in and around the first-team as quick as we could.

“We thought where he was, he was three or four weeks away so we took him in to try and get fit.

“It’s unfortunate he got injured and it’s a waIting game for him now.”