AIDY Boothroyd is hoping to make his third signing of the January transfer window this week in the form of versatile forward Ian Henderson.

Stuart Watson

By Stuart Watson

AIDY Boothroyd is hoping to make his third signing of the January transfer window this week in the form of versatile forward Ian Henderson.

The 24-year-old began his career at Norwich City, but has spent the last six months playing in the Turkish Super League for Ankaragucu.

Henderson trained with the U's last week and was spotted warming up with the Colchester players ahead of Saturday's game at Preston.

“We're looking to sign him, but we've got to get international clearance first,” confirmed U's boss Boothroyd, who made the signings of Kayode Odejayi and John-Joe O'Toole permanent on New Year's Day.

“He can play all along the front line and central midfield. He's tenacious, very aggressive and can play some good football. Hopefully we can do something by Monday or Tuesday, but it all depends on the Football Association.”

Henderson - who turns 25 later this month - came through the youth ranks at Norwich City and made his debut in the Championship as a 17-year-old.

The youngster was used mainly as a sub during his five seasons at Carrow Road and even played in three Premier League games during the Canaries' 2004/5 season in the top-flight.

Henderson was loaned out to League One side Rotherham for three months at the end of the 2006/07 season, before signing for their league rivals Northampton at the start of the following campaign.

The forward's last appearance in a Cobblers shirts came in a 2-1 home defeat against Colchester in November 2008 before he once again dropped down a level in a free transfer switch to League Two side Luton Town.

However, the move lasted just six months as the Bedfordshire side finished bottom of the Football League and were relegated to the Blue Square Premier. As a result, Henderson signed for Turkish side Ankaragucu this summer.