Colchester United boss Steve Whitton is still in the market for Barnet striker Scott McGleish and Macclesfield fullback Gregor Rioch.

The two players turned out for the U's Reserves in yesterday's (Monday's) Avon Insurance Combination two-goal defeat at home to Norwich City.

And Whitton said he will definitely be taking another look.

The U's chief said today (Tuesday): "McGleish did okay and I spoke to him straight after the match. We always knew what he was like from his loan spell with the club a few years ago.

"I'd like to take him again because he isn't getting a look-in at Barnet, but we still have a long way to go to sort out a deal. I also saw enough of Gregor Rioch to invite him back again.

"We will be fixing him up with another game after Christmas and hopefully make a decision on him then. He, like McGleish at Barnet, is currently not figuring in Macclesfield's first team plans."

McGleish, 26, thrilled the Layer Road fans with his all-action style during his loan spell with the U's at the back end of the 1995-96 Division Three season.

The former Charlton, Peterborough and Leyton Orient front-runner, who is looking for another club, scored six goals in 15 appearances and helped the U's to the Third Division promotion play-off semi-finals where they narrowly bowed out over two legs against Plymouth Argyle.

Rioch, son of Wigan Athletic and former Norwich and Bolton manager Bruce Rioch, is also on the lookout for a new club.

A chunky tough-tackling left back, with years of experience playing for Luton, Barnet, Peterborough, Hull and Macclesfield, he has impressed U's boss Whitton in the past.

The 25-year-old defender was skipper at Hull until he joined Macclesfield at the start of last season.

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