Colchester United completed a good last couple of days of business, in the transfer market, by signing midfielder Sean Murray from Swindon Town late this afternoon.

Murray’s arrival followed hot on the heels of striker Rekeil Pyke’s capture from Huddersfield Town on a loan deal on Monday, and keeper Dean Brill’s move to the Weston Homes Community Stadium on a free transfer this morning.

Furthermore, manager John McGreal lost none of his current squad – there looked to be no departures before the transfer window closed this evening.

McGreal had wanted to bolster his midfield and strike-force, and recruit another keeper, so he fulfilled all three of his wishes ahead of this Saturday’s long trip to Blackpool.

Murray is a 23-year-old midfield schemer who has had bags of experience with both Watford and his last club, Swindon Town.

A product of Watford’s Academy, Murray chalked up an impressive 85 first-team appearances for the Hornets, 75 of them in the league, all of these in the Championship.

He switched to League One club Swindon last summer, and played in 23 games for the Robins before having his one-year contract terminated today, so that he could join the U’s on a free transfer.

All-in-all, then, McGreal has a very strong-looking squad at his disposal for the challenge ahead, giving the U’s an excellent chance of finishing in the top seven.

The U’s have had a number of injury blows to key midfielders this term, with summer signing Doug Loft picking up an Achilles injury in September and only now beginning to get back into regular training.

Owen Garvan, meanwhile, who was badly missed during the U’s run of no wins in 13 games, helped to completely change the club’s fortunes as his return to the team coincided with a nine-game unbeaten run,

However, Garvan missed the U’s last outing, a 3-0 defeat at Exeter last Saturday week due to a knee injury, and he is not expected to be fit for this weekend’s trip to Bloomfield Road.

Murray should therefore be a big asset for the U’s, while striker Pyke and keeper Brill should be on the bench against the Seasiders.