Colchester United boss, Joe Dunne, is hopeful of extending Luke Garbutt’s loan stay from Everton.

Garbutt played the last game of his current loan deal at MK Dons on New Year’s Day, again catching the eye in a battling goalless draw.

The 20-year-old left-back has chalked up 18 appearances for the U’s, since his arrival from Goodison Park in mid-September, having made his debut in a 2-2 draw at Bradford.

Dunne has made no secret of the fact that he would love to keep the highly-rated Garbutt during the second half of the campaign.

And that’s why he is trying to close out a new deal during the current 10-day break from first team action – the U’s do not play again until entertaining Gillingham on Saturday week.

“It’s a busy period in terms of negotiations,” explained Dunne.

“We are in a positive position with Luke, which is a bonus. That would be good.

“MK Dons was the last game for Luke, and for Blair Turgott (on loan from West Ham).

“I’ve been speaking to the chairman (Robbie Cowling) every day, for the last few days. Everything comes down to budget, and it’s difficult for us.

“The players we target to bring in, we probably realistically won’t get.

“But we have Freddie Sears back in the squad, and Gavin Massey will come back into the group next week.

“They will be like new signings anyway, and even Sanchez Watt getting 65 minutes (at MK Dons) is like a new signing, because he’s not quite there yet.

“We will still try to add (to the squad) , especially centre-back cover. No question, centre-back cover is a priority.”

Magnus Okuonghae and Tom Eastman are the only fit centre-halves on the U’s books at the moment, due to Josh Thompson’s long-term ankle injury.

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