COLCHESTER United yesterday received a second knock-back in their quest to sign target man Ray Jones from Queen's Park Rangers.The 18-year-old beanpole striker appears to be out of the U's price range, after the West Londoners rejected an improved offer for Jones.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United yesterday received a second knock-back in their quest to sign target man Ray Jones from Queen's Park Rangers.

The 18-year-old beanpole striker appears to be out of the U's price range, after the West Londoners rejected an improved offer for Jones.

U's boss Geraint Williams is on the hunt for new players to bolster his squad, following the loss of Chris Iwelumo (to Charlton) and loanee Chris Barker (to QPR).

Jamie Cureton is also desperate to leave Layer Road, while Richard Garcia is currently out of contract and mulling over his future.

Williams would like to recruit Jones as a replacement for Iwelumo, but Rangers manager John Gregory does not want to part with one of his stars of the future.

The U's lodged a bid of £200,000 for Jones on Monday, an offer that was immediately rejected by the Loftus Road club.

A new improved six-figure fee was made yesterday, but again QPR chairman Gianni Paldini was quick to dismiss it.

“Unless the price is right, we won't be selling our best players,” insisted Paldini.

“We've rejected offers for a few of our players in the last 24 hours, and we're not willing to let our best players leave the club on the cheap.”