Six U`s Bids Despite Double Blow

Colchester United suffered a double blow in the transfer market this week, with former U`s loan player Hogan Ephraim and Matt Connolly joining QPR, but the club have since confirmed that they have an audacious six other targets.

Connolly and Ephraim, both loaned to the U`s from London clubs in the Premiership in the shape of Arsenal and West Ham respectively during the past year, each penned contracts with their Championship rivals at a time when Colchester need fresh bodies on the line for a relegation dog-fight.

Ephraim, a long-term target, escaped Colchester`s clutches after much clamour by signing for a reported £8000,000 while Connolly`s recently expired loan deal from Arsenal was only up for renewal until the end of the season. The defender has opted for QPR in order to see more action between now and May.

Yet, Colchester boss Geraint Williams today confirmed in the Colchester Evening Gazette that he had six other targets in mind as his side, currently 23rd in the division, look to edge upwards.

He said: "In this day and age, what happens is that you make these bids and you know that you're not going to get every target.

"You target the players you want in priority and you make your bids.

"I cannot see six players coming in - but we have made six bids."

One of these, publicly rejected in the last 24 hours, is known to be Luton Town`s Chris Coyne.