Striker Billy Clarke has joined Colchester United on a month's loan. The Irishman could make his debut for the U's at Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Boss Joe Royle told the club site that the move is aimed at gaining the 18-year-old some league matches: "Billy will be going to Colchester for a month and it will be a good chance for him to get some first team experience.

"It's just a month on loan and no more than that. Billy is very highly thought of here and it will be a good opportunity for him to get a run of games under his belt."

Clarke, an Irish U19 international, has already scored a goal at Layer Road, netting for the Town U18s as they thrashed the U's 5-0 on their way to last season's FA Youth Cup.

The Cork-born player, recently named Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Star for Soccer 2005, has made one start and one substitute appearance for the Blues and was on the bench at Palace on Saturday, his first involvement with the senior side since dislocating his elbow when playing for the reserves at Portsmouth in December.

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