COLCHESTER United boss Aidy Boothroyd is close to deciding whether or not to sign Nobby Solano.The 35-year-old former Newcastle and Aston Villa star has spent the last week training with the U's, while the Peruvian international also spent a week at the Essex club prior to Christmas.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Aidy Boothroyd is close to deciding whether or not to sign Nobby Solano.

The 35-year-old former Newcastle and Aston Villa star has spent the last week training with the U's, while the Peruvian international also spent a week at the Essex club prior to Christmas.

Premature reports in South America said a six-month deal for the midfielder had already been struck, but the U's boss - who once had Solano on trial at Watford - says a decision is now imminent.

“I don't want it to be a circus regarding Nobby,” said Boothroyd. “He's a fantastic guy that's had a phenomenal career, so I've got to decide in the next couple of days whether or not I can fit him in with what we want to do here.

“The last thing I want is for somebody to be a paid mascot for us. Everyone has to contribute and fit in our budget.”

Meanwhile, Boothroyd will continue to try and reinforce his midfield after a loan deal for Cardiff's Solomon Taiwo was put on hold.

Blue Birds boss Dave Jones revealed on Tuesday that he had agreed for Taiwo to join the U's on a temporary deal, but the Welsh club were forced to put the move on hold the following day due to their growing injury list.

“I wanted to bring somebody in to bring a bit of depth to our central midfield area, but Cardiff have their own problems at the moment and I respect that,” said Boothroyd.

“If he (Taiwo) is to join us it will be in the next couple of weeks, but if he doesn't, he doesn't and we'll look elsewhere.

“There may be something else that I can do, but I don't envisage it being before the weekend. We've been working on our game plan since Tuesday and I didn't want to disrupt that.”

Boothroyd also confirmed that he has finally been able to agree a fee with Bristol Rovers for Pat Baldwin following a week of protracted negotiations.

The 27-year-old defender - who has spent seven and a half seasons at the U's - will now discuss personal terms with the League One club where he has recently been on loan.

“Bristol Rovers have made a big effort to get him and we have now accepted an offer from them,” confirmed Boothroyd, who recently described Baldwin as his fifth choice centre-back.

“It's now down to Pat and his people to talk to Bristol Rovers and sort it out. I'm hoping it will be sorted out one way or another soon.”