Colchester United boss Steve Whitton was continuing his search for defensive cover today after he revealed his latest target was unlikely to sign for the club.

The U's chief has been trailing Arsenal centre-half Brian McGovern for several weeks and has even spoken to Highbury officials about him joining the club on loan.

But an injury crisis at the north London club means he is unlikely to sign for the Layer Road club and that leaves Whitton back at square one.

England defenders Tony Adams and Martin Keown are suffering from injury and highly-rated youngster Matthew Upson has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

That means the Premiership club are unwilling to let 19-year-old McGovern, an Ireland youth international, out on loan.

Whitton admitted: "I have been trying to get him all week and put a call into their chief scout earlier in the week. But Arsenal have a bit of an injury crisis in defence and I can't see them letting him go.

"I am expecting them to get back to me shortly but I have to say it's looking very doubtful he will join.

"If he doesn't come I won't let it deter me. I will continue scouring the country for someone who can make a difference and improve the side."

Whitton did receive a boost early today when he got a call from Karl Duguid who has been released from hospital.

The striker has been suffering from a kidney complaint and has already been ruled out of Friday night's home game against Luton.

But Whitton expects him to battle back and added: "He's feeling slightly better and although he definitely won't play on Friday he should return soon."

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