Central defender Tommy Smith is set to join Colchester United on loan until the end of the season. Smith, 20, is yet to make an appearance for the Blues under Paul Jewell’s management.

Jewell said: “Tommy Smith’s going out on loan to Colchester. I spoke to Colchester and John Ward yesterday and he’s going there just to give get some games so we can have a good look at him and he can come back to us next season with some games under his belt.

“Unfortunately for Colchester he goes away with New Zealand to Japan and China on Sunday, but I think it will be great for Tommy to get some games. He’ll be there until the end of the season, but we will have a 24-hour recall after the first month.”

Colchester boss Ward, who tried to sign Smith last month, was delighted to make the addition to his squad: "He is a good player, he has international pedigree and is due to go and play in China and Japan soon, subject to the current situation out there.

"He will be with us for seven or eight of the last 10 games and we're pleased to bring him in.

"We saw him in the recent reserve team game against us and he played very well. Paul Jewell has been brilliant - we have had lots of conversations about Tommy and they have been good to let him join us."

Jewell continues to look for lower league clubs for the club’s first and second-year professionals to join on loan with Ronan Murray already at Torquay until the end of the season and Ian McLoughlin at Stockport for a month.

Meanwhile, released Town full-back Seb Dunbar has signed for Ryman League Division One North side Maldon and Tiptree. Dunbar, who left the Blues in January, was previously on trial at Colchester.

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 11:01 - Mar 17 Not surprised as clearly hasn't featured under PJ. Peters and Smith have in my opinion been a little unfortunate not toplay since Paul's arrival - but to be expected when a new manager arrives. Best of luck to Smith - hope he does well. Hopefully PJ will bring in a couple of loans before the deadline.
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Karlosfandangal added 11:03 - Mar 17 To Japan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Sindre94 added 11:05 - Mar 17 good, I believe in Tommy
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ALF added 11:09 - Mar 17 Can't do him any harm and not exactly too far to travel!
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floridaboy added 11:11 - Mar 17 Shame. Would like to see him in the side instead of Delaney who is fast becoming a liability as a defender and constant in the press going on about his contract!! Should have loaned out Delaney instead IMHO
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fourth added 11:19 - Mar 17 He should be in the team
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Wallingford_Boy added 11:23 - Mar 17 Good decision, not progressed as hoped this season after his WC heroics....
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cobbolds added 11:30 - Mar 17 Should be in our team instead of Delaney.
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StowTractorBoy added 11:33 - Mar 17 I personally believe he has had a raw deal at ITFC. When he has come in he has done very well (Barnsley (H) apart) and can feel aggrieved that he has not been given a chance by the new Manager. He is far too good for Col U but I suppose it is near and handy and I would not want him playing for a Championship Club. Good luck I say but hope we don't lose one of our own in the long term.

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arc added 11:41 - Mar 17 "released Town full-back Seb Dunbar has signed for Ryman League Division One North side Maldon and Tiptree"--give a copy of that sentence to every kid who joins the Academy. It's called reality.
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bontcho added 11:43 - Mar 17 Good point arc - thye have a chance and need to grab it.
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purplesprouting added 11:46 - Mar 17 he is the future of itfc and needs to be kept here in the long term.
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PunchNoHopers added 11:46 - Mar 17 Totally disagree Wallingford Boy, he was outstanding earlier in the season for us, the odd game aside. The only reason he hasn't progressed since is he hasn't been playing! He is still I think under contract, and could command a big fee in the future, as Premier League clubs were watching him earlier in the season. Agree Cobbolds, floridaboy and fourth he should be in the team playing, to prove he is good enough for next season as replacement for Delaney when he leaves!

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Garv added 11:56 - Mar 17 Has no right to be in the first team with Delaney and McAuley in there, but wouldn't have loaned him out, do we have a left sided centre half on the bench now? Most decisions aren't really important at this stage as we are not going up or down so I don't mind too much.
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broomfield123 added 12:01 - Mar 17 Should be an automatic start instead of either mac or delaney .Id get rid of mac and delaney and edwards.Have troy brown at Right Back with oconner left back with peters and martin our wide players.Get another center back in mid 20s who is decent and wants to play for us
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Bergholtblue added 12:11 - Mar 17 Games is what this boy needs and with a useless reserve league, loaning him out is good business. I assume we have the right to recall him if we do suffer an injury, so no problem there. I was impressed with him at the start of the season when Delaney was out and didn't he contribute some goals from set pieces? 2 or 3? I think he has been unlucky not to force his way back into the side, perhaps die to the lack of chances to impress, so I hope he takes this chance and shows PJ that he ahs a future. Just to reiterate Karlos's comment --- Japan !!!! Surley they have just got a game against them and not going to Japan and play? He'll come back glowing in the dark!

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StortfordBlue added 12:17 - Mar 17 Good luck Tommy, stay fit, and enjoy a run of games. Didn't Titus Bramble go to Colchester in his earlier career in a similar move? It didn't do him any harm...
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taylor15 added 12:29 - Mar 17 oooooooooooooooooo, strum me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Ipswich24 added 12:33 - Mar 17 broomfield 123 you have not got a clue McAulay is a brilliant defender and probably our best player
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suffolkpoker added 12:38 - Mar 17 Let him learn his trade/mistakes at a lower level, this kid is not even 21. Not every player is a connor wickham. This will do him the world of good, to get a regular spot every week in a tough league.
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jas0999 added 12:42 - Mar 17 I really can't believe the negativity towards McAuley - wouldn't mind betting he or Wickham will be fans player of the year! McAuley may be our best signing in the Summer.
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Mark added 12:52 - Mar 17 Smith has been unlucky, so I think the loan will do him good. We have Darren O'Dea as a left-sided centre back who can cover. To disagree with some of the comments above, I think Delaney and McAuley have been the best central-defensive partnership we have had for many years.
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bournemouthblue added 13:01 - Mar 17 should be a good move for young Tommy In fact a season long loan next season to Col U would be a great move I'd suggesr
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canarykiller18 added 13:28 - Mar 17 he is a good player and hope that this move will bring him back a better player so next season he can break into our team
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broomfield123 added 13:32 - Mar 17 Both mac and DD seem to slow ,passes go astray and getting old.You cant build a team around them like you can with peters, martin , t smith and co.You look at the goals on tuesday they came from defensive mistakes.If they really wanted to stay they all would put in a mile more heart and fight.They had nothing.How many times has this happened this season to a number of players this season.Im not defending Keane but you cant blame him for everything.Lets build around these players and watch them blossem

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