Kane Vincent-Young is the latest in a long line of Colchester United teenagers, hoping to break into the U’s senior set-up.

Ex-Tottenham Academy full-back Vincent-Young has featured regularly in pre-season for the U’s, and is ready to make his Football League debut in the coming weeks.

The 19-year-old, who can operate either as a right-back or left-back, played the full 90 minutes of last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham, which was the U’s final pre-season friendly of the summer.

Although not a product of the U’s Academy – he was released by Tottenham at the end of his youth scholarship last summer – Vincent-Young caught the eye during regular outings for the U’s under-21s last term.

He initially signed for the Essex club, after a few trial games, last September.

“Pre-season has been really good for me. At the start, my aim was to be in and around the first team, but I’ve ended up getting three 90 minutes,” enthused Vincent-Young.

“I think that I’ve shown what I can do, and that’s a bonus for me, which I now want to take into the new season.

“I’ve felt really comfortable, playing for the first team. Everyone is supporting me, and it helps me that a lot of the lads are my age. We’ve played together in the under-21s, so we have a good understanding.

“Right-back is my preferred position but I played left-back when I was younger. I’m just happy to be on the pitch.

“I travelled with the first team a few times at the end of last season, which got me some valuable experience, so there will be no shocks.

“Now it would be a bonus to play on Saturday (against Blackpool), but we will see. I’m just happy for the gaffer (Tony Humes) to have given me these opportunities in pre-season, because without doubt I’ve played more than I ever thought.

“It’s all been a pleasant surprise for me, and it’s a good confidence booster. When the season comes around, and when the gaffer needs me, I will be ready.”