COLCHESTER United are ready to deal with any further departures during this month’s transfer window - should they materialise.

That’s the view of head coach Steve Ball, as they prepare themselves for doing more business in January.

The U’s are on the hunt for a new forward after Luke Norris made a switch to Stevenage, last week.

Colchester have been linked with a move to bring Freddie Sears back to the JobServe Community Stadium.

But they might have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements, with Ipswich Town understood not to be looking to sell the forward in this window.

Left-back Cohen Bramall has attracted the eye of higher division clubs.

And with a number of other Colchester players set to see their existing contracts expire in the summer, it is likely that there will be more comings and goings at the League Two outfit before the February 1 deadline.

Ball said: “There’s never anything set in stone, but you have to be on the pulse.

“Like any club, there could be people leaving in January and there could be offers coming in for some of our players, which is always natural.

“There could also be players wanting to go and play football and if and when that happens, we have to adjust to that and be ready.”

Colchester have confirmed that they have ‘targets’ in place to boost their fire power, during this month’s transfer window.

Ball revealed to the Gazette last week that they are regularly in talks with players, agents and clubs about bringing new faces to North Essex.

The U’s return to action on Saturday when they host Cambridge United, kick-off 3pm.

They will be hoping to welcome some players back to their squad for the visit of the U’s after a number of their squad missed their last competitive game against Cheltenham Town, on December 29.

Colchester will be hoping to end a five-match winless run when they host Cambridge and boss Ball admits the absence of key players has had an impact on results.

He said: “The injuries have definitely affected it.

“I don’t want to be a manager that talks about injuries all of the time because every manager suffers with them, every season.

“It does impact us, of course – I want to name a settled side and I’ve always said that I look at every game with its own individual angle with personnel and tactics linked to that.

“When those options are limited it becomes difficult and I’d definitely like to get more of a settled side, as we move forward.”

Colchester have announced that their two recent postponed League Two games have now been rearranged.

The U’s will travel to play Salford City on Tuesday, February 2 and will host Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday, February 16.