NOW EAGER U’S BID TO SOR
THE loan window opened for business on Wednesday – and Colchester United were one of the clubs to take advantage.
Chairman Robbie Cowling made it clear in the week that he wasn’t about to jettison under-fire manager Tony Humes ( see page 47) – and now he’s backed him with a couple of signings.
Swoop
The U’s swooped for Preston keeper Jamie Jones, 26, on a threemonth loan. The former Leyton Orient man will fill the void left by Sam Walker, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury last month.
The League One side have also brought in former Watford and Bolton striker Marvin Sordell, who was released by Burnley earlier this month. The U’s will be hoping to get the best out of the 24-yearold ex-England U21 and Great Britain forward.
I’ve come here to play football, enjoy my game and help Colchester United,” he said. “If I can use my experience of playing at the top level and that helps the younger players then that would be great.”
Yeovil Town have had terrible luck with injuries so far this season and are down to the bare bones. Therefore, it’s no great surprise that manager Paul Sturrock has dipped into the loan market to bring in Luton Town midfielder Jake Howells.
Although he is only 24, Howells has notched up almost 300 appearances for the Hatters and will add vital experience to the Yeovil youngsters being forced to fill the breach.
Nottingham Forest have boosted their ranks by snapping up Crystal Palace midfielder Jonny Williams on loan until mid-January. The 21-yearold Welsh international has had three loan spells with another Championship club, Ipswich Town, in the past.
Williams previously played under current Forest boss Dougie Freedman at Palace.
“I can’t thank him enough because he gave me my breakthrough in the football world,” said Williams.“That was a good factor in coming here.”
Northampton Town have moved to shore up their defence by snapping up Peterborough’s Shaun Brisley, 25, and QPR’s Darnell Furlong, 19, on one-month loans.
Options
Centre-back Brisley and rightback Furlong will give Cobblers boss Chris Wilder greater defensive options. The latter is the son of ex-QPR striker Paul Furlong.
Chesterfield have strengthened with the addition of 26-year-old utlility man Chris Herd. The Australian international, released by Aston Villa in the summer, has joined until January.
Dean Saunders’ Spireites have also signed West Brom defender Jack Fitzwater, 17, on a month’s loan.