Liverpool defender Lee Peltier turned in a solid performance in front of City manager Glenn Roeder as the Canaries' second string were held to a 1-1 draw by their Colchester counterparts.

Liverpool defender Lee Peltier turned in a solid performance in front of City manager Glenn Roeder last night as the Canaries' second string were held to a 1-1 draw by their Colchester counterparts.

The young right-back, who recently completed a loan spell with League One outfit Yeovil, is currently at Norwich on trial and got a quick chance to impress in the club's first Pontins Holidays Combination match of 2008.

Peltier played the full 90 minutes and was largely effective at both ends of the pitch, defending well and pushing forward energetically whenever possible, especially at set-pieces.

He got pulled out of position once or twice, and also picked up a second half booking for tugging back an opponent, but he did enough to suggest he would worth taking a close look at while the transfer window remains open.

The Canaries currently lack cover for first choice right-back Jon Otsemebor, another Anfield graduate, and with Peltier also capable of playing at centre back and in a holding midfield role, he is certainly a possible transfer target for the City boss.

The Toxteth born 21-year-old has struggled to force his way into Rafa Benitez's star-studded first team squad after making his debut in a Carling Cup victory over Reading at Anfield in October 2006.

Peltier made his full Champions League debut later that year with a 90 minute outing in Liverpool's 3-2 defeat to Galatasaray but has yet to feature in the Premier League.

The highly-rated youngster clocked up seven appearances at City's Championship rivals Hull towards the end of last season - including one in the 2-1 home defeat at the hands of the Canaries - before featuring in all bar one of Liverpool's pre-season friendlies.

The combative player - often likened to Paul Ince - made 23 appearances during his four month spell at Yeovil without finding the back of the net. Peltier has also operated in midfield for Liverpool's youth and reserve teams and recently spoke of his versatility to the club's official website.

“I really don't mind where I play to be honest,” he said. “When I was at the academy I played a year at centre back and a year at right back. I was then out for a year through injury and I came back and played in midfield. I played right back for the first team in pre-season so I don't really mind where I play as long as I'm playing. I would say I'm a hard working defensive type of player who likes to tackle and pass the ball. I get about the pitch quite well and keep it simple.”

Peltier formed part of a youthful City reserve side, with Simon Lappin the only player over 20. In contrast Colchester had plenty of experience to call upon, not least from 41-year-old former England international Teddy Sheringham, who was given run-out by Us boss Geraint Williams along with the likes of Carol Duguid, Kevin Watson and Danny Granville.

Bearing in mind the quality of the opposition Paul Stephenson's side gave a good account of themselves, with only an extremely harsh red card for young defender Michael Spillane souring the evening.

The hosts played with some style in the opening period and fully deserved the lead given to them by Robert Eagle, who reminded Roeder of his talents on 31 minutes when he made progress through the middle before finding the top corner with an unstoppable drive from just outside the area.

Ross Kelly and Chris Martin also went close as the Canaries dominated, but it was a different story in the second half as the visitors came back into it, and they got back on level terms seven minutes after the interval when Jamie Guy swept home Thomas Webb's right wing cross from close range.

City were dealt another blow on 71 minutes when Spillane picked up his second red card in successive reserve games for what was no more than a slight miss-timed sliding tackle on Guy. Both sides pushed hard for the winner after that but it never game and in the end a draw was a far result.

City Reserves: Arnold, Peltier, Lappin, Rossi Jarvis, Cave-Brown, Spillane, Kelly (Smith 74), Lathrope (Halliday 74), Martin, Daley (Miller 86), Eagle. Subs not used: Bexfield, Rudd.

Colchester Reserves: Cousins, Granville, Balogh, Wordsworth, Elokobi, Watson (Hammond 62), Duguid, Webb (Quintyn 83), Guy, Sheringham, Elito. Subs not used: Oakley, Nelson, Smelt.

Attendance 1434.

Referee: R Whitton.