Arsenal central defender Liam Chilvers could be a surprise inclusion in Colchester United's squad for Saturday's vital away clash with runaway Second Division leaders Wigan Athletic.
Chelmsford-born Chilvers was due to play in this afternoon's reserve-team match against Bristol City at Layer Road.
And U's boss Steve Whitton said: "If everything works out as we hope Liam will go into the squad for the Wigan game.
"We weren't initially looking at defenders, more so at strikers, but Liam has become available and we will be looking to take him on loan for a month."
Twenty-one-year-old Highbury trainee Chilvers, a member of the same Arsenal side as former U's loanee Graham Barrett that won the FA Youth Cup in 2000, has just returned to England from the Gunners' Belgian nursery side Beveren.
"Unfortunately things didn't work for him out there," said Whitton.
"But he's got a good pedigree, will play anywhere across the back line for you and has already enjoyed loan spells with Northampton and Notts County.
"We've watched him play many times on our travels for new talent and we know he has what it takes to become a quality player."
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Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003
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