Colchester United have completed the emergency loan signing of highly-rated striker Freddie Sears.

The 22-year-old has joined from West Ham and will spend the next month at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

His loan spell will take in the next eight fixtures and he could make his debut in tomorrow's League One match at Yeovil, subject to the paperwork going through in time.

"Freddie has been at different clubs in the Championship and also played in the Premier League," said delighted U's boss John Ward.

"We feel it is a bit of a coup to get him in.

"I spoke to him last night and he was very happy to come here.

"There was interest from elsewhere, but he has decided to come to us."

Ward has moved quickly to bolster his squad after former loanee Gavin Massey was recalled by Watford yesterday.

"A lot of work went in last night to get him here and he will meet us at Brentwood to join us on the coach to Yeovil."

Sears, whose loan spell will run until March 18, has a wealth of loan experience, having previously played for Scunthorpe, Coventry and Crystal Palace in the Championship.

He has also played Premier League games for West Ham, in addition to winning England Under-21 caps.