Colchester United are confident that tonight’s transfer deadline will pass without them losing any of their key players.

The U’s rejected a bid from neighbours Ipswich Town earlier this month for left-sided player Brennan Dickenson.

The Daily Gazette understands that it is the only firm offer they have received for former Brighton and Gillingham player Dickenson.

Ipswich appear to have turned their attentions elsewhere following their interest in Dickenson, after signing Macclesfield Town's Danny Rowe.

Meanwhile, Colchester are expected to further add to their squad ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm tonight.

Experienced goalkeeper Dean Brill is expected to join the U’s, having been released by Motherwell last weekend.

Former Luton Town keeper Brill trained with Colchester earlier this month and is set to come in as cover for current first-choice keeper, Sam Walker.

Colchester's Head of Player Resources Iain Moody told the Daily Gazette: “Dean Brill’s an experienced goalkeeper.

“When James Bransgrove left we needed to bring someone in and we were quite short of experience.

“Dillon is a quality goalkeeper and one for the future but bringing in an experienced goalkeeper like Dean will enable us to allow Dillon to go out on loan and get some experience outside of the window, to a non-league club."

Moody is hoping that Rekeil Pyke can make an impact for the U's after arriving from Championship club Huddersfield Town on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old had spent time training with the U’s prior to his move to the Weston Homes Community Stadium, where he will be hoping to add to his experience in senior football.

Pyke is yet to make an appearance for Huddersfield’s first team but spent time on loan at National League side Wrexham at the end of last year, where he made one start and two substitute appearances.

Moody said: “He’s a young, dynamic striker who has done very well in the Huddersfield academy.

“He’ll fill the slot vacated by Macauley Bonne going on loan to Woking.

“We have three established strikers in the first-team squad who have done well but we felt we needed a fourth.”