COLCHESTER United manager John Ward has confirmed he has received an enquiry about centre-back Paul Reid.

The 28-year-old is set to be out-of-contract in the summer and speculation has arisen that struggling Championship club Scunthorpe are interested in purchasing Reid in a cut-price deal this month.

Should the former Barnsley defender exit the U’s it would leave manager John Ward without the services of the entire back four that started the campaign with left-back Marc Tierney set to sign for Norwich today and both Magnus Okuonghae (ankle) and Brian Wilson (ankle) facing prolonged spells on the sidelines.

When asked about whether Scunthorpe have shown any interest in Reid, Ward said: “I’ve spoken to Ian Baraclough (Scunthorpe manager); I speak to lots of people.

“People get asked about all sorts of things at this time of year and I have been asked that question but at the moment I’m expecting Paul Reid to play on Friday for my team.”

U’s midfielder Ian Henderson is another of several players set to be out-of-contract in the summer and Ward admits he cannot wait for the January transfer window to shut.

Asked if any more players were likely to follow Tierney out of the club, Ward said: ““I really don’t know – it’s that kind of month.

“I could go back to my office now and get a phone call which would change this answer I’m giving you now, but at the moment I’m expecting the team out on the training field now to stay together. I’ll be delighted when February 1st comes along though.”

Later on in his Thursday morning press conference, Ward added: “We’ve conceded goals recently but sometimes there are circumstances connected to that out of your hands.

“Marc Tierney has now gone, Brian Wilson and Magnus Okuonghae are injured and if Paul Reid possibly goes then the entire back four we started the season with will be unavailable for a period of games against teams above us in the table.”

– Colchester United host high-flying Bournemouth in League One tomorrow night. For full preview, see tomorrow’s EADT.