WINGER Simon Hackney has signed for Colchester United and could go straight into the side for tomorrow night's home match against Northampton.

Carl Marston

WINGER Simon Hackney has signed for Colchester United and could go straight into the side for tomorrow night's home match against Northampton.

Carlisle United had accepted a six-figure bid for the 24-year-old left-footer at the end of last week, and the player came down to Essex to thrash out personal terms today.

The Cumbrians had rejected the U's initial five-figure bid for Hackney, believed to be in the region of �25,000, earlier this month, but they found a new six-figure offer to be too tempting.

Ironically, Paul Lambert's men travel to Carlisle this weekend.

It was hugely significant that Hackney was omitted from Carlisle's squad last Saturday, even though he had been an early substitute for the injured Jeff Smith during the previous game, a 3-2 win over MK Dons. The 24-year-old played no part in a 4-1 defeat at Tranmere.

Cumbrians boss Abbott had insisted: “The decision is in Simon's hands. He is going down to Colchester to speak to them.

“I don't want to sell him. We asked him the question and he wants to speak to the other club. Simon is a terrific player.”

But Hackney was keen to get away from Brunton Park, with the promise of regular first team football with the U's. He scored 17 goals in 139 first team appearances for Carlisle.