JUST as Ipswich Town's squad has been filling up with ex-Sunderland players in recent weeks, so Colchester United is fast developing into a place for former Cheltenham Town players united!New U's boss Aidy Boothroyd yesterday secured his second signing, since his appointment to the hot seat a fortnight ago, with the arrival of striker Kayode Odejayi on an emergency three-month loan from Barnsley.

Carl Marston

JUST as Ipswich Town's squad has been filling up with ex-Sunderland players in recent weeks, so Colchester United is fast developing into a place for former Cheltenham Town players united!

New U's boss Aidy Boothroyd yesterday secured his second signing, since his appointment to the hot seat a fortnight ago, with the arrival of striker Kayode Odejayi on an emergency three-month loan from Barnsley. Midfielder John-Joe O'Toole was recruited on loan from Watford at the end of last month.

Nigerian-born Odejayi, who is a big presence up front, initially made a name for himself at Cheltenham, where he scored 30 goals in 100 league starts (and 48 substitute appearances) between 2003 and '07.

The 27-year-old was a team-mate of current U's players Steven Gillespie and Ashley Vincent at Cheltenham, and ironically the man who sold him to Barnsley for �200,000 in June, 2007, was none other than current U's assistant manager John Ward - he was the boss at Whaddon Road at the time.

Odejayi will be looking to kick-start his career at the Community Stadium, after a frustrating last year at Barnsley. He only scored once for the Tykes last term, when he was mostly used as a substitute, although he did also score a goal for Scunthorpe during a loan stint at Glanford Park.

He is most famous for scoring Barnsley's winner against Chelsea in an FA Cup quarter-final tie two seasons ago, although he did go on to miss a gilt-edged chance in the semi-final defeat by Cardiff.

New Barnsley boss Mark Robins said: "Kayode (Odejayi) needs to kick start his career. He will go to Colchester for an initial three months and we will take it from there."

The arrival of Odejayi has further strengthened the U's squad - the number of senior players is approaching 30 - and has given Boothroyd more options in attack.

Kevin Lisbie and Clive Platt started during last weekend's 1-1 draw at Swindon, while fellow front-runners Scott Vernon and Jamie Guy were also used as substitutes, with Gillespie an unused substitute. Frenchman Joel Thomas is also on the U's books.

Boothroyd will be in charge of his first home game this weekend, when Hartlepool are the visitors.