Colchester United will step up their hunt for a new centre-half this week, as their defensive problems continue.

U’s boss Tony Humes is keen to bring in cover, after Tom Eastman suffered a calf injury in their 3-1 home defeat to Coventry City.

If Eastman is sidelined it would leave Colchester with only two fit senior centre-halves and Humes said it is an area he is looking to strengthen in the loan market.

Humes said: “We’re not blessed with cover in that area at the minute.

“We’re looking at cover being brought in but you look throughout the many leagues and everyone is looking for a centre-half.

“We’re on the constant lookout but we’re battling against other people and when there’s not many available, you can only do what you can do.

“We’ve got what we’ve got and we have to be big enough and brave enough to stand up to whatever is put before us.”

Colchester have now conceded 37 league goals this season, eight more than any other team in the division (Barnsley).

But while he conceded his side might have done better in certain areas, boss Humes refused to condemn his defence.

“We should have got nearer to Coventry but those little bits that we’re not quite getting right at the moment are hurting us,” said Humes.

“You can’t be too critical of the defence – they came up against some good play and had some misfortune.”

Meanwhile, boss Humes said he was frustrated with referee Graham Horwood’s performance in the Coventry defeat.

“Their first goal was a questionable offside and their second goal was from a free-kick, which was one of many questionable decisions by the referee,” he said.

“It was very, very soft and we found ourselves behind in a game where we could really have been 2-0 up.

“It was one of many decisions that were unbelievable but that’s the game and you have to keep bright and switched on.

“It wasn’t just me that was disappointed with the referee’s performance – ask Tony Mowbray and the Coventry staff.

“We’re not saying that it all went against us but when you get professionals relying on decisions and results depending on it, that’s the disappointing thing when you get the standard of officials.

“We play for 90-odd minutes and you can’t blame one or two decisions determining the game but they have an effect.”

For five pages of coverage of the U's game with Coventry, see Monday's Daily Gazette.