COLCHESTER United have been linked with a move for winger Joel Grant as a potential replacement for Brennan Dickenson.

The 31-year-old is out of contract at fellow League Two side Plymouth Argyle this summer and the U’s are understood to be interested in luring him to the JobServe Community Stadium on a free transfer.

Grant, who has made more than 50 league and cup appearances and scored ten goals for Plymouth since joining them from Exeter City in June, 2017, sees his existing deal at Home Park expire at the end of this month.

The Jamaica international has been offered a new contract at Argyle, who are currently without a manager following the departure of Derek Adams in April.

However, London-born Grant could be tempted to return closer to home and Colchester are believed to be looking to persuade the former Watford youngster to link up with them, for the forthcoming campaign.

The U’s are on the lookout for a new left-sided attacker, following Dickenson’s departure to MK Dons last month.

Grant, who has also played for the likes of Crewe Alexandra, Wycombe Wanderers and Exeter City, has played most of his football on the left wing during his career - but can also play as a midfielder or centre forward.

His versatility might also suit the U’s, particularly following the departure of Mikael Mandron on a free transfer last month.

Grant missed the second half of the League One season after picking up a thigh injury in Plymouth’s 2-1 Boxing Day defeat at AFC Wimbledon.

As a result, he had to have surgery on both his thigh and his hip but is now said to be fully recovered in readiness for the 2019/20 campaign.

Colchester director of football Tony Humes said last week that they were on the hunt for replacements for Dickenson, who rejected the chance to stay at the U’s in preference for a move up a division to MK Dons.

Humes told the U’s website: “Brennan will be a loss because of the positions he played but it's something we're aiming to address with a replacement.

“We’ve got recruitment targets and will see how they develop in the coming weeks.”

Colchester are hoping to add to their squad this summer, after narrowly missing out on the League Two play-offs.

U’s head coach John McGreal told the Gazette last month that he believes that the club have a lot to offer their transfer targets.

McGreal said: “We may not have the biggest budget in the league but what we do have is fantastic facilities and a DNA and reputation of what we’ve done over the last couple of years.

“That does bring players into the building and that’s what we’ll try and do to have a good chat with them – then it’s obviously their decision.”