Colchester United joint interim manager Richard Hall has revealed they were close to bringing in a central defender prior to the loan window closing - only to miss out on their target.

The U's defensive problems continued when they were thumped 5-1 at Burton Albion last weekend.

Colchester have conceded 49 league goals this season and have shipped 33 goals in their last ten matches, in all competitions.

Hall has revealed they were rebuffed in their attempts to sign a centre-half prior to the loan window closing last Thursday.

Hall said: “We tried to get one but he didn’t want to come – he wants to keep his options open and that’s where we’re at.

“We’ve been looking for the right centre-back for a while now.

“When we had Kaspars Gorkss in last year, he was a dominant centre-back and someone who wanted to go and attack the ball.

“He was a front foot centre-half and he helped Tom (Eastman) or whoever played in the back four.

“Then Bongani Khumalo came in and did exactly the same thing and we’re missing a dominant centre-back.

“We’re trying to shore things up but we’ve conceded five goals in doing that (against Burton).

“It’s about taking responsibility in the jobs that you’re given and defending when you’re asked to defend.”

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