WILL Hoskins is “chomping at the bit” to earn a permanent contract with Colchester United.

Hoskins, along with fellow free agent Jermaine Grandison, is currently training with the U’s and the duo both played in the club’s under-23 draw with Derby County, on Monday night.

Former Rotherham United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Bristol Rovers striker Hoskins has more than 250 career appearances and 63 goals to his name.

But the 30-year-old has been without a club since leaving his previous club Exeter City, this summer and his last competitive game was the Grecians’ FA Cup defeat against Liverpool, last January.

Centre-back Grandison, who twice won promotion from League Two with Shrewsbury Town in 2012 and 2015, is also currently without a club.

The 26-year-old, who started his career at Coventry City, was released by Salop at the end of last season.

Colchester under-23 coach Wayne Brown saw the pair at first hand against Derby and says they are both aiming to earn deals.

He told the Daily Gazette: “Will Hoskins came in and played his first game for us (against Derby).

“He’s chomping at the bit to try and earn a contract but at the moment, he’s a bit short of fitness.

“He’s been around for a while and we know he’s got quality.

“He played in the number nine role, where Decarrey Sheriff has been playing for us this season.

“Jermaine came in at centre-back and he’s been training with the first team for a couple of weeks now.

“They’re short of fitness and they need games of football and that environment is the best chance for them to get minutes under their belt.”

Colchester are looking to strengthen their squad for the second half of the League Two campaign.

U’s head coach John McGreal revealed last month that he is looking to sign a replacement for defender Luke Prosser, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

And with experienced striker Chris Porter struggling to shrug off a hamstring injury, the U’s boss appears to also be assessing his attacking options.

“John McGreal and Steve Ball are trying to add to their squad with quality and bring in players who will help us,” added Brown.

“The only way you can really look at players is within your own environment and philosophy so it was good that they both played on Monday night.

“There’s no substitute for match fitness and the only way that you can build that up is by playing games, within your own set-up.

“The first team have been doing well and have had two great results, so it’ll be hard for them to go straight into that environment.”