COLCHESTER United are 'quite positive' about the prospect of Emyr Huws remaining at the club.

The U's have been in talks with the midfielder who made 12 appearances for them last season after joining them on a short-term deal, in January.

Huws is in talks about remaining at the JobServe Community Stadium, after his contract came to an end.

And although a fresh deal is yet to be agreed to keep hold of the former Ipswich Town midfielder, boss Wayne Brown is optimistic an agreement can be struck.

Brown said: "Ems is one that we've obviously been in conversation with.

"We know the individual well - we know what he can and can't do and he knows us.

"I think that's one that we're quite positive on but it's just one that we haven't quite got over the line yet."

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Huws started his career at Manchester City and had loan spells at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town.

He eventually left City to join Wigan on a permanent basis in September, 2014.

The 28-year-old played 11 times for the Latics and had a loan spell at Huddersfield Town, before leaving to join Cardiff City on a permanent basis in 2016.

Huws made four appearances for the Bluebirds before leaving to join Ipswich in January 2017, initially on loan.

He spent four seasons at Portman Road but left at the end of the 2020-21 season at the end of his contract.

The Wales international's debut for Colchester at Sutton United in January was his first competitive game for more than a year.

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Meanwhile, boss Brown insists Frank Nouble is competing for a place in his Colchester starting line-up ahead of the new season.

Nouble has returned from a loan spell at Leyton Orient and has been taking part in pre-season with the rest of the U's squad, this week.

The 30-year-old striker has returned to the U's to battle for his place and Brown says he is in contention.

Brown added: “Frank has got a year left on his contract at the football club.

“He’s in the same boat as every other player at the club.

“He’s got to come back in the best shape that he can hit the ground running, have a good pre-season and then do all he can to get into the team.

“That’s no different to anybody else."