COLCHESTER United’s addition of Riley Harbottle on loan from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian until the end of the season is perhaps a signal of their intentions, as they aim to move away from the League Two danger zone.

The U’s are certainly not short of options in the central defensive department.

Harbottle’s arrival coincides with the return to fitness of on-loan Southampton defender Nico Lawrence from injury, a player whose services Colchester have been deprived of since last summer, due to injury.

Of late, skipper Connor Hall, Tom Dallison and Zach Mitchell have been the U’s first-choice centre-backs, with the latter playing as a right-back in the Cowleys’ first game in charge at Swindon Town, earlier this month.

READ MORE: Riley Harbottle joins Colchester United on loan from Hibs

There’s also stalwart Fiacre Kelleher, who is currently sidelined while both Mandela Egbo, who is out with a serious knee injury and Will Greenidge have both played as one of three centre-backs for the U’s, earlier in the season.

But it’s clear that Harbottle has not been signed by Colchester to merely sit on the bench, every week.

Hibernian FC Head Coach Nick Montgomery’s words were telling after the young defender’s loan move to the U’s was confirmed, earlier today.

“At this stage of Riley’s career it’s imperative that he goes out and gains regular football,” he told the Hibs website.

“Gametime has been limited for him this season and he needs to continue developing.

“We hope he embraces this challenge and it’s a successful loan spell where he plays week in, week out.”

Gazette: Riley Harbottle

Colchester will be hoping that Harbottle reproduces the kind of form he showed consistently for Mansfield Town, last season.

While on a season-long loan at the Stags from Nottingham Forest, he clocked up 37 appearances, as they pushed for the League Two play-offs.

In total, Harbottle made 31 starts in total for Nigel Clough’s side, predominantly as a left-sided centre-back.

READ MORE: Duo make a welcome return from injury for U's under-21s

According to reports, Clough was keen to bring the defender to Mansfield on a permanent basis but knew that the defender would likely join a higher-level club.

Mansfield Chad sports editor John Lomas says Harbottle made a positive impression for the Stags, last season.

He said: "He's a very composed defender, good in the air, a handful at set pieces and capable of scoring goals.

"He played on the left side of a two or three-man defence for Mansfield.

"Riley and Will Swan both came in from Nottingham Forest and made quite an impression, last season.

"He played the best part of 40 games during his time at Mansfield which was good especially as he had a couple of injuries, last season.

"He's a mature player for his age and chipped in with some very important goals.

Harbottle could now be facing Mansfield when the U’s travel to the One Call Stadium, in March.

Colchester currently have the worst defensive record in the whole of the EFL so it is perhaps unsurprising that they have added a centre-back to their ranks.

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how he fits into the Cowleys’ plan for the remaining 18 games of the season, as they attempt to improve their defensive record and move up the League Two table.