NEW signing Chris Coyne is looking forward to guiding Colchester United away from the relegation trap door.Central defender Coyne is delighted to be moving up to the Championship, from League One strugglers Luton Town, so he doesn't want the U's stay in the second tier of the Football League to be short one!Coyne revealed last night: “I believe that the Colchester squad is strong enough to stay in the Championship, otherwise I wouldn't be here!“I'm looking to the future.

NEW signing Chris Coyne is looking forward to guiding Colchester United away from the relegation trap door.

Central defender Coyne is delighted to be moving up to the Championship, from League One strugglers Luton Town, so he doesn't want the U's stay in the second tier of the Football League to be short one!

Coyne revealed last night: “I believe that the Colchester squad is strong enough to stay in the Championship, otherwise I wouldn't be here!

“I'm looking to the future. The team is good enough to start climbing the table, and there's also a move to a new stadium to look forward to next season.

“I've spent a day training with the lads, and the squad looks to be a very good one. You don't get to be a Championship club without having a strong squad.

“I sat down with the manager (Geraint Williams) and had a good chat. I can't speak highly enough of him. I've also taken advice from Mick Harford (former U's assistant manager). It was Mick who was responsible for taking me to Luton (in 2001).

“Mick sold the club well, and now it's time for me to move on. There have been some very difficult times at Luton this year. It's not been a nice situation to be in. But that's come to an end for me now.

“I'm just looking to help out Colchester, and start helping to keep a few clean-sheets, because it's clean-sheets that win matches,” added Coyne.

The 29-year-old centre-back is set to make his U's debut at promotion-chasing Bristol City tomorrow afternoon.

U's chairman and owner, Robbie Cowling, confirmed last night that other new arrivals are in the pipeline, in addition to Coyne and Phil Ifil.

Cowling said: “I am delighted with the signings and we have a couple more live bids out there that we're actively pursuing. I would expect more activity before the end of January.”