Freddie Sears says he is rooting for Colchester United in their battle for League One survival.

Sears quit the U's in January to join neighbours Ipswich Town, for an undisclosed fee.

The former West Ham United striker remains Colchester's leading goalscorer having scored 14 goals in all competitions, prior to his switch to Portman Road.

And the 25-year-old says he is hoping his old club can get themselves out of trouble, at the foot of the table.

Sears said: "I always look out for Colchester’s results and it’s a bit disappointing to see them losing so often.

“It looks as if they are heading for the bottom of the league but they’ve got a big game on Tuesday against Yeovil and if they can get three points from that one they could go on to push up the table.

“I really hope they can stay up.

"There are a lot of good players there, plus a good management team, but it’s going to be tough with so many teams in and around them, all fighting for the same thing.

"Coventry won on Saturday, which has made it that bit tougher.

“But hopefully they still have time to get out of trouble.

"What would be perfect from my point of view is that we go up and they stay up.

"That’s what I wanted to happen when I left them to join Ipswich but who knows what will happen.”

Sears, who has scored four goals for Ipswich so far, is in action for his new club tonight when they host Bolton Wanderers at Portman Road, in the Championship.

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.