Williams: Who am I buying today?

Colchester United manager Geriant Williams, yet to deny he has ended his search for another striker, has dismissed speculation linking the Essex club with Hibs forward Dean Shiels.

The U’s were linked with Northern Ireland international Shiels last Thursday in the local media, but yesterday Williams said that that particular story had no substance.

He said: “I read it in the press and that was the first I knew about it!”

In an Essex County Standard report, the U’s boss said little about any potential forward targets, although had gone on record as saying another player may join Teddy Sheringham, Clive Platt, Kevin Lisbie and Jamie Guy in the attacking roster.

He had previously spoken about his desire to sign another attack-minded player before the end of the month, due to the unavailability of Lisbie, (since returned fit), and Platt, who today completes his three-game suspension.

With Guy also out, manager Williams was reluctant to rely solely on the 41-year-old Sheringham, although did boost his options by bringing in the versatile Adam Virgo on loan from Celtic. Virgo, 24, can play at either centre-half or as a font man.

Speaking a day later, in advance of the Preston clash last weekend, Williams told BBC Essex: “We are always out looking at players; we’ve always got names. You never know what emergencies are going to come up but we are always looking to bring people in.”

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.

Join the Vital Fantasy Football League - its Free!