COLCHESTER United boss Geraint Williams today dampened speculation linking Mark Kinsella with a return to Layer Road as assistant manager.

Kinsella - currently reserve team coach at Charlton Athletic - has been tipped as the front-runner to succeed Micky Adams, who left the role on Monday.

However, Williams has said that he has not made contact with the U's legend about becoming his number two.

He told the Gazette: "I've not spoken to Mark Kinsella for a while.

"(Appointing the assistant manager) is like the situation with bringing in new players.

"It has to be the right person to fit in with us."

Colchester reserve-team boss Joe Dunne will be Williams' number two for the foreseeable future.

The popular former U's defender already has a good working relationship with the squad.

And he has prior experience of working as Williams' assistant, having temporarily filled the post before the appointments of Adams and his predecessor, Mick Harford, at the beginning of last season.

"Joe Dunne has stepped up and he's been working alongside me," said the Colchester boss. "He knows me and he knows the way we play.

"Joe is a very good young coach and he's worked very hard as reserve-team manager.

"He's also helped me out before Mick Harford came to the club and also before Micky Adams was appointed.

"We need things to keep going and to keep pushing on to get more points for Colchester United.

"The players have been fully informed about what has happened."