Young Ipswich Town striker Jack Marriott has joined Essex neighbours Colchester United on loan until the end of the season, the Blues also extending right-back Elliott Hewitt’s temporary stay at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Marriott, 20, replenishes the struggling League One side’s forward options following 14-goal top-scorer Freddie Sears’ switch to Portman Road for an undisclosed fee.

Hewitt, 20, has made 16 appearances for Tony Humes’ side, scoring a fine goal in a recent 2-0 win at Peterborough. His stay has been extended for a further month.

The U’s are 22nd in the third tier, one point above rock-bottom Yeovil and two points adrift of safety. They host Essex rivals and fellow strugglers Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Town academy graduate Marriott has had two spells at League One clubs in the past. He made just one substitute appearance for Gillingham in January 2013 and was restricted to three starts and two substitute appearances for Carlisle at the start of this season.

Amongst the aforementioned moves he has had three sperate loan spells at Conference club Woking. In the first he scored eight times in seven games, in the second he scored four in 14 and in the third he netted five in 21.

Ipswich have included a 24-hour recall clause in both the Marriott and Hewitt deals.