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

stringtheory added 13:48 - Mar 17 What's going on Cleggy - sort it out!
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DiamondGezzer added 15:17 - Mar 17 It could be a good move for him [ getting games under his belt ]. I like Tommy, yes he makes the odd mistake, but who doesn't. Come back like a new signing mate, wish you well.
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Dowson added 16:06 - Mar 17 good player and can only be good to get some games under him :)
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Tractorog added 17:08 - Mar 17 He is a good player for an under 21 and will make it. He just needs games and the side needs to be settled. Its all very well blooding youngsters, but PJ is trying to build a team psychologically up from nervousness bordering on despair back to robust confidence. Tommy Smith will come back a better player.
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BlueJewells added 17:42 - Mar 17 Good for him to get some more first team experience
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50yearsablue added 17:55 - Mar 17 Wanting to be rid of the likes of McAuley indicates the mentality and knowledge of many town supporters. I know everyone is entitled to an opinion but he is undoubtedly our best defender by far and to rubbish him is ridiculous. We are shipping to many goals, especially at home, but the only one down to central defence was Delaney against Watford. Tommy Smith's day will come but the 2 incumbents are currently better (imo)

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fourth added 18:01 - Mar 17 He is a class player and should have been worked with closely to fit into the set up. I am VERY surprised that he is not playing. Not many people have acquitted themselves well in the World Cup including current team and management....Think!
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devontractorboy added 18:58 - Mar 17 Difficult one this, a constant complaint about Keane was the constant team changes and not playing a settled side, PJ has tried to keep a settled side and with no real reserve league it's difficult to give players like Tommy Smith the games he needs. The loan idea IMO is a good one as long as one of our more promising players does come back.
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broomfield123 added 19:27 - Mar 17 50yearsblue.I assume you are blameing delaney and not maculey.i thought they werte supposed to be partnership and the primary job of a defender is to stop goals from being conceded.Now as a now experianced pair that we are supposed to have and the amount of stupid goals we have let ib doesnt equal a good defender.And that goes for all the experiances defenders we have

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:30 - Mar 17 Good decision by PJ. Benefits everyone. This does not imply any negative judgement on TS - quite the reverse. Furthermore, he's bound to get less p*** off playing than sitting on the bench. I'm pretty sure it will have been made clear to him that he figures in our future plans. Better play for Col. U. for a while than put in a transfer request because of lack of opportunities - because we don't want to lose him long term. COYB.

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broomfield123 added 20:15 - Mar 17 Happy paddys day mr keane
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runaround added 20:52 - Mar 17 Good luck Tommy, hope you get some good game time and come back ready for next season
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50yearsablue added 21:49 - Mar 17 Broomfield123, I actually said 'the only one down to central defence was Delaney'. Not too difficult to interpret is it? Saying they're too old is ridiculous when the likes of Giggs and Scholes are still key players for Man Utd and they are of a similar age to Ferdinand and Terry who would be England's first choice pairing
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bluecrossy added 21:56 - Mar 17 Hmm. So who do we have as back-up to McAuley and Delaney?
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bluelady added 22:24 - Mar 17 Bluecrossy darren o dea, tom eastman and troy brown are back up, smith on twenty four hour recall, getting games rather than bench warming good idea. Jas and others agree big MAC is a very good cb. Would like to see troy brown go out on loan really rate this young lad a cb who can play with the ball at his feet.
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broomfield123 added 23:42 - Mar 17 Let's be honest delaney and mac aren't quite of scholes giggs rio or terrys standards and besides look at how silly they were made to look in the world cup and we aren't quite man utd etc
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harlingblue added 01:51 - Mar 18 He should have been playing beside McAurley, he has played World Cup football.
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bobble added 08:16 - Mar 18 colchester sounds better than japan.what sort of rice do they grow in colchester ?
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Ipswich1994 added 09:42 - Mar 18 My mums a badger
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ernie added 10:34 - Mar 18 "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. Try- give a copy of that sentence to every member of the first team who played in the Reading and Watford games. Then we might be getting somewhere
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Fatcatevans added 19:53 - Mar 19 broomfield 123 Are you on drugs? Your proposed changes would get us relegated. Macaulay is twice the player Smith is. Undoubtedly the boy will come good in time but to suggest he replaces G Mac is bizarre
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