COLCHESTER manager Paul Lambert has again been thwarted in his quest to bolster his defence, his latest approach proving too tall an order.Hibernian last night confirmed they have rejected a six-figure bid from Colchester for their 6ft 7ins captain, defender Rob Jones.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER manager Paul Lambert has again been thwarted in his quest to bolster his defence, his latest approach proving too tall an order.

Hibernian last night confirmed they have rejected a six-figure bid from Colchester for their 6ft 7ins captain, defender Rob Jones.

The U's set their sights on the 29-year-old - a former Ipswich Town target - after Wycombe rejected an offer for their centre-half, Mike Williamson on Monday afternoon.

But Hibs have no intention of selling, with a spokesman saying: “We received a bid, which we rejected out of hand.

“We have no interest in selling our skipper.”

Tall Englishman Jones, has been playing his football in the Scottish Premier League since leaving Grimsby in the summer of 2006, and has rattled up more than 100 appearances for Edinburgh-based Hibs.

Born in Stockton-on-Tees, Jones has been a big hit at Easter Road, and was installed as captain two years ago.

He responded by leading Hibs to their first silverware for 16 years when he scored the first goal in their 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final.

He scored with one of his trademark headers from a corner.

This season, Jones has scored a couple of goals, again headers from corners. In all, he has netted 10 goals in 103 outings for Hibs.

Wycombe and Hibs were both quick to turn down the U's offers, but Lambert will be hoping for better luck with other transfer targets.

Owner and chairman Robbie Cowling has certainly not been afraid to splash the cash, since he took over the reins from Peter Heard.

The likes of Chris Coyne (from Luton), Dean Hammond (Brighton), Phil Ifil (Tottenham), David Perkins (Rochdale), Steven Gillespie (Cheltenham) and Marc Tierney (Shrewsbury) have all been snapped up for six-figure fees during the last year.

Meanwhile, the U's Essex Senior Cup quarter-final tie at home to Hornchurch, which was postponed last night due to a frozen pitch, has been rearranged for Wednesday, January 14.