Colchester United are facing a battle to hold on to Alex Gilbey today.

Championship side Bristol City are rumoured to have tabled a second firm bid for the U’s youngster, ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm tonight.

Colchester manager Kevin Keen revealed last week that the Robins had shown more interest in Gilbey, after their first bid for the youngster had been flatly rejected by the League One club in January.

But Bristol City are reported to have come back with a second significant six-figure bid – believed to be in the region of £400,000 - for the highly-rated former Gilberd School pupil, who is out of contract at the Weston Homes Community Stadium at the end of the season.

And with Premier League side Crystal Palace also rumoured to be interested in Gilbey, the U’s look like they have a battle on their hands to hang on to their vice-captain, who has been offered a new contract by Colchester.

Last month, Keen described Bristol City's first bid for Gilbey as a "joke" after it was flatly rejected by Colchester.

In a recent interview with the Daily Gazette, the 21-year-old said he wanted to stay at the U's until at least the end of the season and help them in their League One survival bid.

George Moncur has also been linked with a move away from Colchester in the transfer window, with several Championship clubs believed to be interested in the midfielder's services.

Meanwhile, U’s boss Keen says he may have to rethink his movements before the window closes tonight in the wake of Alex Wynter’s injury against Spurs.

The centre-half underwent a CT scan at Colchester General Hospital on Saturday night, following a clash of heads with team-mate Tom Eastman in the opening stages of the U’s FA Cup fourth-round defeat.

Frankie Kent and Matt Briggs finished the Tottenham game as Colchester’s central defensive partnership but boss Keen says he may be tempted to bring in reinforcements before the window slams shut, in the wake of Wynter’s injury.

Keen said: “We’ll have to see (if it affects the transfer plans).

“I won’t know until I’ve spoken to Tony Flynn and checked out what the exact repercussions are but it’s possible.

“But I thought Frankie Kent was very good.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, including a special supplement on their big FA Cup clash with Spurs, see Monday's Daily Gazette.