Underfire Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has been let down again - twice.

But on the brighter side, there is better news for the U's chief concerning young Arsenal central defender Liam Chilvers.

Whitton told the Evening Gazette: "I tried to bring in Dominic Foley, a tall striker from First Division Watford, but we can't have him.

"And Chelsea midfielder Robert Wooleaston was meant to be training with us yesterday, but didn't turn up."

The gloomy news comes only days after Portsmouth target man Lee Bradbury and Fulham front-runner Calum Willock also turned the U's down.

Bradbury opted to join struggling Sheffield Wednesday on loan after telling the U's he was not fit enough to play Second Division football, while Willock stayed in west London with Queens Park Rangers.

Wooleaston, 23, has just been handed a free transfer by Chelsea and is said to be looking for a fresh start having experienced loan spells with Bristol Rovers, Portsmouth and Northampton.

"He is still contracted by Chelsea until the end of the season," said Whitton. "He's a quality player and we've watched him play several times already."

The U's boss, meanwhile, said he will be looking to sign Chilvers now that his international clearance from Belgian club Beveren has come through.

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Published Tuesday, January 21, 2003

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