Colchester United are keen to extend the loan spell of Everton defender Luke Garbutt.

The promising young full-back has impressed for the U's since joining them on loan from the Premier League club, in September.

Garbutt had a hand in both of Colchester's goals in their 2-2 draw with Rotherham United, last weekend.

But his loan spell is set to end following the U's FA Cup first-round tie with Sheffield United, on Saturday.

And although fellow left-back Ryan Dickson is close to full fitness again following a virus, U's boss Joe Dunne would like to keep Garbutt for longer.

U's boss Joe Dunne said: “It’s Luke’s final game of his loan and I’ll making a phone call to see if we can extend it.

“He came in because of what happened to Ryan, who’s now getting towards a state of full fitness.

“It’s important that I get the balance right between both.

“I’m pretty sure that Luke will want to go back and test himself at Everton or maybe a top-six League One or even a Championship club.

“He’s on the training pitch every day practising and they say practice makes permanent.

“We still need to make sure that Ryan’s OK, based on the game he’s playing."

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