Town's reserves drew 0-0 with a Cambridge United side in a friendly at the Playford Road Training Centre. The game had been arranged partly to build-up John McGreal's fitness, however the central defender limped off not long after half-time with a pulled hamstring.

Town had most of the the early pressure with Ian Westlake and others failing to trouble the keeper with shots.

Former Colchester man Lloyd Opara had an effort saved by Scott Peat in the Town goal but the best chance of the half fell to Nabil Abidallah five minutes before the break.

Alun Armstrong crossed from the right to the Dutchman coming in at the far post. He reached the ball but volleyed it over the bar from close range.

The second half saw Town make eight substitutions, John McGreal replaced early on after pulling his hamstring when making a tackle.

The injury is a further set back for the ex-Tranmere man who suffered two knee ligament problems last season and seemed close to a first team return.

Alun Armstrong came close on a number of occasions and his sharpness will have impressed any watching scouts, although they may have been unconvinced about his finishing. Town have turned down loan bids from Derby and others recently, Joe Royle preferring to set up a permanent move for the striker.

On the hour a well-worked Town move ended with the bright Abidallah playing the ball to Armstrong who beat the keeper but hit the post.

With ten minutes remaining the Dutchman threaded through a ball for Armstrong to chase but the keeper came out to smother the former Stockport man's shot.

With time running out both Armstrong and Craig Reid could have had the ball in the net from a left-wing Scott Barron cross but defenders closed in to block.

Armstrong could have score in the final moments of the game, his shot from the right of the area tipped onto the post by the Cambridge keeper.

Town included 22-year-old Ryan France in their side. The right midfielder currently plays for Alfreton Town in the Unibond League but almost joined Coventry City in the summer until talks broke down over the fee. He was also linked with Stoke City earlier in the year.

France did enough for Town to take another look at him, twice cutting inside and putting low balls across the box.

Should the Blues decide to add him to their squad Alfreton, currently top of their league, will look for a small fee plus top-ups. France has scored five goals in four league appearances this season.

Joe Royle, Willie Donachie and Tony Mowbray missed the game and in truth they would have learnt little new regarding their fringe players ahead of the weekend's home game with West Ham.

Reserves: Peat, Hogg (Flack 78), Okay, Murray (Reid 78), McGreal (Krause 53), Collins (Synott 46), Abidallah (Barron 61), France (Kamara 61), Abidallah 76), Armstrong, Westlake (Atay 46).

Photo: Action Images

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