Colchester sign West Ham's Forbes on loan

Michael Forbes made 12 appearances during a previous loan spell with Bristol Rovers

Colchester United have signed defender Michael Forbes on loan from Premier League West Ham United for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old has yet to play for the Hammers' first team but has made seven appearances in the EFL Trophy for their under-21 side.

He spent the first half of the season on loan with League One side Bristol Rovers before returning to West Ham last month because of injury.

Forbes played for Northern Ireland at various youth levels and won his first senior international cap as a substitute against Finland in 2023.

He could make his Colchester debut in Saturday's away match against Tranmere Rovers.

"The team seems to be in a really good place and we'll just try to keep building momentum and getting wins on the board," he told BBC Essex Sport.

Colchester are 15th in League Two and have taken seven points from their last three games.