Scarborough striker Neil Campbell was set to sign for Colchester United on New Year's Eve.

And the U's teenage midfielder David Rainford is moving in the opposite direction - until the end of the season.

Powerfully built 22-year-old former York City goal-getter Campbell was expected to move from The McCain Stadium to Layer Road for a small five-figure fee.

Boro chairman John Russell said: "As far as I'm concerened a fee has been agreed between the two clubs, and that fee is £15,000."

U's boss Steve Wignall questioned the size of the fee, but admitted that the player was due in Colchester for talks.

Campbell, who scored the late equaliser in a 1-1 third division draw with the U's at The McCain last January, arrives at Layer Road at a time when the current U's strikers are experiencing a goal famine.

Wignall said: "Neil may not be the answer to our prayers, but I see him as a lad with potential. "One for the future maybe."

Wignall added: "Nothing against Neil, but it's ironic that in the same 24-hour period that our Second Division rivals Burnley have paid £800,000 for Luton central defender Steve Davis, we are only able to pay out a small fee for a new player.

"It would be nice to have that kind of money to throw around, but that's the kind of thing we are up against all the time in this Division."

Born in Middlesbrough, Campbell launched his Football League career with York as a trainee in the summer of 1995.

He made 12 League appearances - six as a substitute - before moving on to Scarborough on a free transfer in September 1997.

Campbell made 34 League appearances last season - 14 as a sub- and scored seven goals. He has, however, made only five starts this season and is yet to score.

Wignall also revealed that 19-year-old midfielder Rainford, who has made just one substitute appearance for the U's, is joining Scarborough until the end of the season on an extended loan deal.

The U's boss said: "David is keen to go and we see the move as a great opportunity for him at this stage of his career."

Wignall also said the U's are taking a second Dutch player, Bjorn Meeuwse, on trial.

Another player recommended by former Ipswich Town and Holland international Romeo Zondervan following winger Arafath Heuvel's summer signing, Meeuwse is a 22-year-old central defender who has been playing regularly in the Dutch Second Division.

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