Colchester United boss, John McGreal, has missed out on his initial targets in the transfer market, during the first half of this month’s transfer window.

But McGreal is still very keen to add a new player to his squad, over the next fortnight, as the U’s continue their promotion bid with a top-five clash at home to Mansfield Town this weekend.

“I have not come close yet,” admitted McGreal, with regards clinching a new signing, following this morning’s training session at Florence Park, Tiptree.

“We have spoken to a few players, but we have lost out to bigger clubs with bigger budgets who pay bigger wages in this division. We have to understand this situation. We have not been able to get one over the line yet, but we have already lost a body in Aaron Collins (returned to Wolves following his loan spell), so we definitely need one in.

“We know where we are, with regards attracting players, and we are still very much on the look-out. We desperately need to replace Aaron Collins with another player.”