Freddie impresses

Freddie Sears has been praised by Colchester boss John Ward following his first full week with the Us.

22-year-old Sears joined the League One outfit on a month's emergency loan last week and made his home debut for the Essex club in their goalless draw with Rochdale at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Saturday.

Despite failing to find the net in his first start for Colchester, Sears gave an encouraging performance during which he managed to test the opposition goalkeeper on a couple of occasions.

And Ward feels that now he has settled into his temporary home, Sears' first goal for United won't be too far away.

"He has done fine this week," Ward told cu-fc.com. ""This is his first time down to League One, so it's a credit to him that he's willing to get out and play football - and it's a real credit to us that we've been able to get him here.

"It says a lot about him as a player that he wanted to be here. He had to drive across London to sign the paperwork and fetch all of his kit on Friday, so he was keen to meet us and be a part of the group.

"We've got a good player and a good person too. That attitude is crucial, because if you're sloppy and lazy in football - or any job - you won't last for long."

Sears' next chance to open his account comes when Colchester visit Boundary Park to take on fellow mid-table side Oldham Athletic tonight.