Colchester United have boosted their ranks ahead of a busy seasonal schedule with the permanent signing of Neil Danns.

Neil Danns has signed on a permanent basis for the U's

The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder had been on loan at Layer Road earlier in the season for two months, making ten appearances in Coca-Cola League One, two in the Carling Cup and netting four goals in the process.

Injuries in midfield with Kem Izzet and Karl Duguid both out were the reason behind manager Phil Parkinson acquiring him on loan in the first place.

He impressed and, since he went back to Blackburn, Parkinson has been chasing the powerful midfield man.

Parkinson said: "Danns is a quality player. He has a lot of athleticism and pace.

"He can go from box-to-box, turning defence quickly into attack. We have needed a midfielder because we have suffered a lot of long-term injuries.

"We have two good quality midfielders in Izzet and Duguid, but they haven't been able to play a part this year and we've missed their attacking ability.

"When Neil is on the pitch you know there is a goal in him. We saw in his loan spell that he can score with both feet and is also good with his head."

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Published Friday, December 24, 2004

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