Colchester United’s Head of Player Resources Iain Moody believes their current winning form can give them extra pulling power in this month’s transfer window.

The U’s, who have embarked on a seven-match unbeaten run in League Two and lie just two points off the play-off places, are interested in bringing Barnsley striker Elliot Lee back to the Weston Homes Community Stadium for a third loan spell.

Colchester head coach John McGreal is a big admirer of Lee having worked with him last season and has stated that he would like to bolster his forward options this month, as the club look to move higher up the table in the second half of the season.

And Moody says the U’s position in the table can be a good selling point, when they are talking to potential new signings.

Moody told the Daily Gazette: “I don’t think the fact that the team are doing so well at the moment changes things, in terms of recruitment and targets.

“The team needs what the team needs.

“But if anything, the fact that we’re promotion candidates going into the second half of the season does make it slightly easier for us in terms of any negotiations that we have with potential signings, in addition to the geographical position of the club.”

Lee joined Championship side Barnsley last summer, following his departure from West Ham.

But the 22-year-old has made only three appearances for the Reds and is set for a move away from Oakwell, during this month’s transfer window.

“Elliot is a player that the coaching staff have a very high regard for,” said Moody.

“He’s someone who they have worked with before and is a talented young player.”

U’s boss McGreal has made no secret of the fact that he would like to add to his forward options this month, as his in-form side make a push for promotion in the second half of the season.

McGreal said: “We’ve highlighted that we might be looking for a centre-forward.

“We’ll see what’s happening with the two loanees that we’ve got (Tarique Fosu and Glen Kamara).

“We’ll definitely have one or two irons in the fire and just see where we go with that, whether it’s earlier or later.”