JOHN McGreal admits Colchester United are now focusing on fresh transfer targets after they missed out on potential new signings in the January transfer window.

But the U’s head coach is still keen to bolster his promotion-chasing squad, before the end of the month.

McGreal wants to add to his options, following loanee Aaron Collins’ departure back to parent club Wolves earlier this month.

And although the U’s boss admits they are currently not close to securing any deals, he is still hoping to make at least one new signing before the transfer deadline.

McGreal said: “I’ve spoken to one or two players – you’ve just got to understand that there are bigger clubs in our division with bigger budgets and bigger wages to pay.

“There are times when you can’t compete and we know where we are.

“It’s not as if it’s all doom and gloom – it’s on to the next.

“We’ve spoken to recruitment and we’re looking now for the next numbers to come through.

“Hopefully, we can try and get one or two in.

“I’ve spoken to a few players and trying to get things moving.

“But as we know, there’s bigger clubs in this division and bigger wages and bigger budgets and we haven’t been able to get one over the line.

“It’s over to recruitment now just to see what they can bring up.

“We’ve lost a body with Aaron Collins and we definitely want to try and replace him.

“It’s just now what other players are becoming available.

“The ones we were in for, we haven’t been able to get over the line so it’s over to recruitment, as such.”