Colchester United manager Joe Dunne says it is "imperative" that they sign a centre-back before the loan window closes tonight.

The U's need cover for Magnus Okuonghae and Tom Eastman, with their only other recognised centre-half Josh Thompson likely to be out until February with an ankle injury.

Dunne has been trying hard to bring in a new defender but admits it is proving a difficult process.

Dunne said: "It's imperative that we try and get one in.

“We’re trying to bring new players in but it’s a very difficult window.

“We need to bring in a player to cover us at centre-back and maybe even a wide player.

“Josh Thompson is probably out until February and we’re looking to get cover in for Tom and Mags.

“The problem is that the chances of getting an experienced player to do that are pretty much non-existent.

“The other difficulty is if someone comes in as a second loan, they can’t go out again after January.

“We’ve looked at every possibility, even players who are experienced in League Two who I know who can do a job are sitting on the bench.

“We have two or three names that we’ve asked about but we think it’s going to be a long process."

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