TEENAGER Jake Hutchinson was close to making the Colchester United bench for their game at Morecambe.

The 17-year-old attacker travelled up to the Globe Arena with their first-team squad for their League Two clash with the Shrimps, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Hutchinson, who came through the Brighton and Hove Albion youth academy before joining Colchester, has featured for the club's under-23 and under-18 sides in their Professional Development League Two games, this season.

He has so far had loan spells at Hitchin Town, Grays Athletic, Maldon and Tiptree and East Grinstead Town.

Colchester head coach John McGreal said: “We had young Jake Hutchinson in the squad at 17 years of age.

“He’s another one who was unfortunate not to make the squad.

“He was nearly on the bench and that would have been a great reward for what he’s done this season.

“Callum Harriott passed a fitness test (on the morning of the game) and has a heavy, heavy dead leg.

“He said he wanted to play as the true pro, he would.

“As you could see, he was limited in his actions at times but he got through a good chunk of the game for us."