Town are one of a number of clubs being linked with Colchester United left-back George Elokobi. The former Dulwich Hamlet player has asked for a transfer and is claimed to be interesting the Blues, Celtic, Reading, Crystal Palace, Norwich, Charlton and Watford.

The 21-year-old, who also plays at centre-half, was impressive for Colchester against Town at Portman Road in October and probably restricted Jon Walters to his quietest game of the season.

The Cameroon-born full-back, whose contract is up at the end of the season, has been made available by the U's, who are keen to achieve a fee for the highly-rated defender rather than allow him to leave on a Bosman in the summer.

Elokobi joined Colchester from Dulwich Hamlet in 2004, having moved to the UK two years earlier. While with the U's he spent time on loan at Chester City with whom he made his league debut.

Boss Jim Magilton may be interested in adding another left-sided defender to his squad with Matt Richards looking likely to join Brighton on a permanent basis during the transfer window.

If Town are genuinely targeting Elokobi - and the Cameroonian doesn't make a move to the Premiership or the SPL clubs linked - the Blues would be in a position to afford to pay the asking price with Marcus Evans's takeover likely to be confirmed imminently.

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