COLCHESTER United head coach Steve Ball says he has been 'very impressed' by experienced defender Tommy Smith during pre-season.

The New Zealand international is currently training with the U's and featured in each of their first two friendlies, against his former club Ipswich Town and Gillingham.

Smith, 30, who made six appearances on loan at Colchester during the 2010-11 season, is currently a free agent following a spell at Sunderland, last year.

And U's boss Ball says the experienced centre-back has left a positive impression after linking up with the League Two club.

Ball said: "I've been very impressed with Tommy.

"He's got a great pedigree but he's also got some real qualities, which are so noticeable.

"He's been fantastic in training and now he's getting his fitness in games.

"It goes without saying that he's a proven Championship player and he's got a number of years left in him."

Colchester are hoping that youngster Al-Amin Kazeem's knee injury suffered in the friendly against Ipswich is not as bad as first feared.

The teenage left-back suffered the injury just ten minutes after coming on as a substitute for Ryan Clampin in the U's 4-0 loss at the JobServe Community Stadium, in the first of their two friendlies against Town.

"It was a real concern initially - any knee injury is always a real concern," said Ball.

"I don't think it was a nasty tackle but it wasn't great.

"I think his leg has got locked around Al-Amin's knee and twisted his knee and with anything like that, you always worry.

"But I've spoken to the physio and I think there was a little bit of shock with it for Al-Amin.

"We're hoping that it's not too bad and it's only a week or two.

"I was really gutted for the kid because he was so up for coming on and everything else.

"He's another one that we have big hopes for."

Colchester will embark on the second of three intense training days at Florence Park today, as they build up towards the new League Two season.

Their next pre-season friendly will be against League One side Peterborough United, next Tuesday, where they are expected to play two 90-minute matches.