Colchester United will do well to hold onto star player, George Moncur, during this month’s transfer window.

Striker Dan Holman left the Essex club on Tuesday, to sign for National League leaders Cheltenham Town, following a previous loan spell at Woking, and he might not be the only departure.

U’s new manager Kevin Keen, appointed to the hot-seat on December 21, has hinted that he might struggle to hold onto his best players this month.

Considering that the U’s are currently floundering in the relegation zone, having collected just five points from a possible 45 in their last 15 games, it might be assumed that no aspiring club, in their right mind, would be interested in recruiting from such a struggling side.

The U’s have the worst defence in the Football League, their first choice keeper, Sam Walker, is out for the whole season with a knee injury, and no U’s player has scored in three games (the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Oldham last weekend was an own goal).

And yet the U’s do have a star performer in their ranks, in the shape of attacking midfielder Moncur.

The ex-West Ham 22-year-old looks sure to attract interest from Championship clubs this month, in addition to one or two of the leading League One outfits.

The likes of Charlton, Ipswich and Wolves might all be in the frame.

Charlton, who last week welcomed back Callum Harriott from a fruitful three-month spell with the U’s, could be among those clubs leading the chase to sign Moncur, who has bagged nine goals in a poor side this term.

The Addicks are keen to bolster their squad, to improve their chances of retaining their Championship status over the next four months.

Over the last week, Charlton interim head coach, Karel Fraeye, has made three signings with the arrival of defenders Rhys Williams (loan) and Roger Johnson, and midfielder Diego Poyet on loan from West Ham. It is well reported that he wants to sign more players, with the Londoners currently second-from-bottom, so Moncur could be on his radar.

Ipswich Town, with their sights set at the other end of the table, have recruited the likes of keeper Dean Gerken, midfielder Anthony Worsdworth and striker Freddie Sears from Colchester in recent seasons, and they too could be tempted to lure Moncur away from the Community Stadium.

With his knack of arriving late in the box, to score goals, Moncur could add a new dimension to Town as an attacking threat.

Wolves are another club believed to be tracking the U’s midfielder.

Moncur, after an initial loan spell from West Ham, signed a permanent deal with the U’s in November, 2014, which is not due to expire until 2017.