Colchester United front-runner Dan Holman, still without a start this season, has signed on loan for Conference club Aldershot.

East Anglian Daily Times: Josh Thompson, who has signed on loan for Tranmere Rovers until JanuaryJosh Thompson, who has signed on loan for Tranmere Rovers until January (Image: Archant)

Holman has hardly featured at all this season, and is desperate to get a few games under his belt following his summer switch from Braintree Town.

The 24-year-old has so far made four brief appearances as a substitute in the Football League, and also 45 minutes for the U’s in the League Cup at Charlton, while a recent one-month loan switch to Wrexham yielded just 31 minutes of action in four separate substitute outings.

“Dan (Holman) has gone out on loan to Aldershot,” confirmed U’s boss Tony Humes during this lunchtime’s press conference.

“He needs to get some minutes on the pitch, and hopefully he will get that during the coming month at Aldershot.”

The U’s have given clearance for Holman to play in the FA Cup this weekend, for the Shots against Torquay.

Meanwhile, U’s centre-half Josh Thompson has this afternoon signed on loan for Football League basement club Tranmere Rovers.

Thompson has endured a string of injuries over the last 18 months. In fact, he has not played a league game since being an early casaulty of the U’s 2-1 home win over Leyton Orient on April 6, 2013.

The 23-year-old played just 25 minutes throughout the whole of last season, after coming on as a 65th minute substitute at Dagenham & Redbridge, in a 4-1 defeat in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on September 3.

Ex-Stockport, Celtic and Portsmouth defender Thompson is now searching for match-fitness again. His injuries have included a long-term ankle problem.

He is available for Tranmere’s League Two game against AFC Wimbledon tomorrow. His loan deal will take him through to January.

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