Mick Wadsworth has handed the No1 jersey to trialist Simon Brown and said: "Make it your own."

The Colchester United boss moved to sign the former Spurs keeper straight after Wednesday night's 1-1 draw against Norwich City at Layer Road.

It means heartbreak for Brian Parkin - the former Crystal Palace and Wimbledon keeper - who had been favourite to succeed Carl Emberson as the U's No1.

And, despite spending much of the last week training with the U's and playing in the second half of last night's pre-season friendly, the 33-year-old stopper was told immediately after the match he was no longer required at the club.

But it is 22-year-old Brown - out of contract at White Hart Lane - who has impressed Wadsworth and his backroom team during his short stay at Layer Road.

The U's boss has thrown the Chelmsford-born keeper a lifeline by handing him a one month contract with a view to a permanent deal.

Brown - who has previously played on loan at Fulham, Millwall and Lincoln City - intends to take his chance.

He said: "This is the opportunity I have been waiting for. I was getting stale at Tottenham and needed a fresh challenge. There are six or seven keepers at White Hart Lane and, with the likes of Ian Walker at the club, I was never going to get a chance.

"But I'm just so excited about playing at Colchester United. I have enjoyed it so much and it feels so much different to be playing first team football.

"At Spurs, you turn up for training all week and chances are you're not even playing a game at the weekend. It can get very tedious and at times it's soul-destroying.

"But the atmosphere here has been great and it's given me a massive lift to know I will be playing first team football. Mick has given me a month to prove I'm the man for the job and I intend to take the chance."

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