Colchester United boss John McGreal will breathe a huge sigh of relief when this month’s transfer window is slammed shut.

McGreal has been keen to avoid receiving any phone calls from other managers, concerning any offers for his players.

One potential target - Brennan Dickenson - has been linked with a possible move along the A12 to neighbours Ipswich Town, one of McGreal’s old clubs.

Town are reported to have had an offer turned down for the U’s in-form left-sided specialist.

Whether that turns out to be true or not, Dickenson is an obvious potential target for other clubs, whether that be in League One or the Championship - he has already plundered an impressive seven goals from his role on the left flank this term, since his summer switch from Gillingham.

The midfield duo of Craig Slater and Owen Garvan are also enjoying good seasons with the seventh-placed U’s, so McGreal will be counting down the days until the January transfer window ends.

The U’s are certainly not looking to off-load or sell players, as they step up their promotion bid, and it remains more likely that they will recruit rather than sell.

The move from Colchester to Ipswich has been a popular one over the years, with the likes of Anthony Wordsworth and Freddie Sears recent examples.

However, Dickenson is unlikely to follow suit.

The 23-year-old still has 18 months to run on his current two-year deal, so he looks set to stay where he is for the rest of the season, at least.