TOWERING centre-back Aden Flint will choose between Colchester United and Swindon Town after both League One clubs had a bid accepted by non-league side Alfreton Town.

The imposing 21-year-old defender – who stands at 6ft 6in tall – has caught the eye for his Derbyshire-based club this season. Alfreton are currently second in the Blue Square North having conceded just 14 goals in 18 league games.

The U’s were the first to have a bid accepted for Flint’s services and the player was in Essex yesterday for talks with chairman Robbie Cowling and manager John Ward.

Swindon then made their move later in the day and the player was driven across to The County Ground (which is just under 40 miles closer to Alfreton than Colchester) last night.

“We’ve had a bid accepted for Aden Flint by Alfreton,” said Ward.

“We had him at the football club yesterday, but they’ve also accepted a bid off Swindon so we are in competition with them.

“We’ve made him an offer and he’s chatting to Swindon Town this morning so it depends on the lad.

“Robbie (Cowling) and I showed him around the place and I think he was pretty impressed with that, but at that stage I don’t think Swindon had come in.

“They arrived late on the scene and the young man was whisked away by his representatives to Swindon last night so we’ll wait on the outcome of that.”

U’s boss Ward has already signed two players from non-league this season in the form of Andy Bond and Ben Coker, while Swindon have a big non-league success story of their own in Charlie Austin.

Colchester are currently short on centre-backs options after Paul Reid was sold to Scunthorpe last week and Magnus Okuonghae received the news that he is facing another six to eight weeks out with a troublesome ankle injury.

A late starter in football terms, Flint’s career started out at Pinxton in the Central Midlands League Supreme Division before he made the step up to Alfreton in 2008.

“If he (Flint) was to sign for us he would be on the bus to Huddersfield,” said Ward.

“He’s six foot six, a strong defender who attracts the ball in both boxes and is a big threat at set plays.

“There are no deadlines set for a decision. I spoke to the lad on his way to Swindon last night and said just remember what you’ve seen here. I hope he chooses us because I think he’s got a bright future.”