COLCHESTER United teenager Russell Malton is set to join fellow Essex club Heybridge Swifts on loan.

Stuart Watson

COLCHESTER United teenager Russell Malton is set to join fellow Essex club Heybridge Swifts on loan.

The 18-year-old versatile attack-minded player will join the non-league club this weekend for a two-month spell.

Malton - who signed a professional contract with the U's this summer - has been a regular in an experienced Colchester reserves side this season and has even featured on the first team bench for a few games.

He could now feature for Heybridge, who play at step four of the non-league pyramid, in their Ryman League Division One North game at Romford on Saturday.

“It's going to be good for me to be involved in first team football for a couple of months and get my fitness levels right up there,” said Malton.

“I am there until January and I know from the players who have gone there on loan in the past that they are a club that will look after me while I am there.

“It has been a good experience for me to be around the pros so far this season and I definitely learned a lot.

“Hopefully I will get plenty of game sunder my belt during the time that I am at Heybridge.”

- A Colchester United XI travel to Ilford in the third round of the Essex Senior Cup tomorrow night (7.45pm).