KWAME Poku has been praised following his impressive performance for Colchester United at Exeter City.

The 18-year-old shone in a right-sided attacking role for the U's, following their 0-0 draw at St James Park.

Poku was in excellent form against the Grecians and has established himself as a regular in Colchester's starting line-up, after bursting onto the scene this season.

U's boss John McGreal believes the former Millwall youngster, who has played on both flanks along with in a central attacking position for Colchester this season, has a big future in the game.

McGreal said: “I thought KP was excellent - it was an outstanding performance from such a young lad.

“The thing is with him, I can put him on the left wing, on the right wing or I can have him as the number ten.

“What he does in all three of the roles is as good as I’ve seen a person do.

“He’s 18 years of age and he’s got a huge, huge career in the game if he keeps listening and learning which he does – that’s the big thing with Kwame.

“He’s always got a smile on his face and he always takes the ball in difficult positions and fights like anything to keep hold of it – even if he loses it, he tries to get it back.

“To play a role across that three is as difficult as can be, at this level.

“He’s got brilliant habits for such a young age but we just have to be careful we don’t build him up too much.

“He just needs to keep his head down, keep listening and learning and as a club, we need to keep him here to keep his head on his role, at the minute."

Meanwhile, boss McGreal says new signing Tafari Moore is capable of playing at both right-back and left-back for Colchester.

The former Arsenal youngster arrived at the U's earlier this month on loan from their League Two rivals Plymouth Argyle, until the end of the season.

Moore made his debut against Macclesfield Town and was an unused substitute for their draw at Exeter, last weekend.

“Tafari did particularly well after we threw him in the other day (against Macclesfield)," added McGreal.

“He needs training under his belt and the good thing about Tafari is that he can play at right-back and left-back, as well.

“He gives that extra bit of competition which we do feel as though we’ve needed in that area.

“We haven’t had it throughout and I think we’ve been very fortunate not getting an injury to Jacko (Ryan Jackson) or Cohen (Bramall) before now."