Colchester United boss, Joe Dunne, admits that he only has “fish-and-chip” money to spend, if he is to bolster his squad with a loan signing.

Dunne is considering a move to bring in a new loan striker, if target man Jabo Ibehre’s current injury woes do not clear up quickly.

Dunne revealed: “It’s aggravating me a little bit, because one minute I have got Jabo, and the next I haven’t got him.

“The problem is around the pelvic into the hamstring area, where there is some general stiffness.

“It didn’t respond in the warm-up on Friday, and I’m not going to give it too many more days. I haven’t got time to hang about.

“Jabo is an important player for us, but I’ll have to activate a transfer if I can’t get him fit.

“Clinton (Morrison) is doing ever so well up front, holding up the ball and taking a lot of heat.

“He is being kicked from pillar to post, and there’ only so much he will be able to take, we’ve got to look after him.

“I’ve got someone in mind, whom I have already made an enquiry about.

“But it’s all about timing.

“If I lose my left-back, then I haven’t got another left-back, and I’ve only got fish-and-chip money to bring one in.

“So I have to be double careful, I have to be so careful where the money goes.

“So it’s a balancing act at the moment, but I know exactly who I want if I need to get someone,” added Dunne.

The U’s entertain Bradford City tomorrow evening.