COLCHESTER United boss Geraint Williams has strengthened his squad with the arrival of teenage striker Hogan Ephraim, signed on loan from West Ham.Yesterday was the deadline for emergency loan deals, so Williams decided to bolster his attacking options in preparation for the busy weeks ahead, starting with tomorrow's Essex derby at home to Southend.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Geraint Williams has strengthened his squad with the arrival of teenage striker Hogan Ephraim, signed on loan from West Ham.

Yesterday was the deadline for emergency loan deals, so Williams decided to bolster his attacking options in preparation for the busy weeks ahead, starting with tomorrow's Essex derby at home to Southend.

Ephraim is a product of the Upton Park Academy. He has made one brief appearance for the Hammers first team, as a late substitute in a Carling Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday just over a year ago.

The 18-year-old front-runner has been a regular for the Hammers Reserves, but this will be the first time that he has been loaned out to another club. He will go straight into the squad for the visit of basement club Southend.

Williams revealed last night: “Hogan (Ephraim) is an exciting striker whom we have watched many times playing for West Ham Reserves. He is an intelligent footballer who is very comfortable on the ball.

“He has decent pace and he has good movement and likes the ball to feet.

“We only had three fit strikers. The others have all been amongst the goals, but we needed some more options,” added Williams.

Ephraim has played for England at various youth levels, including scoring four goals for England Under-17s in a match against Russia.

Tomorrow's game against Southend will be a sell-out.