Colchester United are running the rule over West Ham United youngster Jamie Harney.

The Hammers academy defender is training with the U’s and featured in their Essex Senior Cup penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Concord Rangers, on Tuesday night.

Harney, who is yet to make an appearance for West Ham’s first team, skippered Northern Ireland under-19s’ to Dale Farm Milk Cup glory in August.

The 18-year-old centre-back, who is from Plumbridge, signed a two-year professional contract with West Ham in the summer of 2012.

And under-21 boss John McGreal said playing against Concord was a good test for him.

McGreal said: “Jamie’s from West Ham on trial at the moment and he’s been with us for about a week.

“We’ll continue to look at him in training and Tony (Humes) and Richard (Hall) got to have a look at him (against Concord).

“It was ideal really after a week’s training, to get Jamie into a game situation.

“We got clearance to play him in the Essex Senior Cup game and he was up against it, against a decent lad.

“It was a tough game and it was a good game to have a look at him.

“He defended quite well and attacked the ball well.

“Unfortunately, he missed a penalty in the shoot-out but at least he put his hand up to take one.”

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United, including John McGreal's verdict on the U's Essex Senior Cup exit and David Wright's new weekly column, see Thursday's Daily Gazette.