Good luck, Freddie

Freddie Sears has joined Colchester United on a short-term loan spell.

The out-of-favour youngster will stay with the Us until 18th March after agreeing to move to the Essex club, who are currently 11th in League One.

Colchester boss John Ward, speaking via his club's website said: "We moved quickly to get Freddie in. A lot of work went in last night to get him here.

"Freddie has been at different clubs in the Championship and has also played in the Premier League and we feel it is a bit of a coup to get him in and play for us.

"I spoke to him last night, and he was very happy to come here. There was interest from elsewhere, but he has decided to come to us."

Sears, who burst onto the scene when scoring against Blackburn on his debut back in March 2008 has made just 11 appearances for the first team at West Ham this season. Only one of those has come in 2012, that being the FA Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday at the beginning of January.

Since scoring on his first team debut three years ago next month, the 22-year-old striker has managed to find the net on just two occasions in competitive fixtures. Both goals coming last season; in the 2-0 Premier League win over Wolves and the 5-1 demolition of Burnley in the FA Cup.

The Hornchurch-born youngster was one of the most highly-rated youngsters to emerge from the club's Youth Academy in recent seasons, having broken into the first team set-up around the same time as James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Junior Stanislas.

Prolific at youth team and reserve level, it was hoped that Sears could make the step-up to first team football - although he has failed to live up to that early billing at present.

Having already spent time on loan previously with Crystal Palace and Coventry, it is hoped that this latest move can kick-start his flagging career.