COLCHESTER United have ‘contingency plans’ in place if their top scorer Joe Taylor is recalled by his parent club Luton Town in the transfer window.

Taylor has been in excellent goalscoring form for the U’s since joining them on a season-long loan from the Hatters in the summer and bagged his 12th goal of the season in the 5-3 defeat at AFC Wimbledon, on Friday night.

However, Colchester are preparing themselves for the possibility of losing Taylor amid fears he could return to Luton, who were due to have a recruitment meeting on Thursday where they were expected to discuss what they intend for the striker, in the second half of the season.

READ MORE: Colchester boss Matty Etherington's verdict on Wimbledon defeat

Colchester head coach Matty Etherington said: “There are players on loan and conversations have taken place about whether they are going to be extended, whether they’re going to be recalled by their clubs.

“We’re going to more on that on a couple of the key ones – Joe Taylor, for example.

“I think Luton were having a recruitment meeting (on Thursday) so we’ll have a much clearer picture, heading into the weekend.

“If certain loan players do go back, there’s contingency around that.”

Colchester have a number of players on loan this season, including Taylor and goalkeeper Owen Goodman, from Crystal Palace.

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Zach Mitchell is also at the club on loan from Charlton Athletic while Nico Lawrence and Mauro Bandeira are also currently on loan from Southampton and Arsenal respectively.

Colchester will need to determine the future of those players prior to making any fresh moves in the January window, which opens on Monday.

Colchester are hoping to make some early signings once the window opens.

The U’s are in need of reinforcements following a slump in form and a number of injuries to key players.

READ MORE: Match report as Colchester slump to defeat at AFC Wimbledon

“There has been decisions made,” added Etherington.

“We’ve done our work early, in terms of targets that we want and we’re speaking to the relevant clubs and agents, at the minute.

“Hopefully there’ll be one or two in the door in the early part of the New Year and then one or two after that potentially as well.

“It’s a collaborative approach.

“They recommend players to me and we as coaching staff identify key positions where we feel we need to strengthen with the way I want to play.

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“They recommend names to us but we obviously do our due diligence as well.

“Then we all come together and then ultimately, the decision is then down to myself and my coaching staff.

“It’s been really productive and we’ve been having these meetings since the start of December.

“It’s been clear and precise in terms of the whole process and we know where we are with it.”