Colchester United will sign a consistent performer if they are successful in their swoop for transfer target Matt Lockwood.

That's the view of Matt Joseph, who played alongside Lockwood for six years while at Leyton Orient.

Joseph, now skills coach for the Essex Football Association, thinks the U's will reap the benefits of Lockwood's all-round abilities in Coca-Cola League One next season, if they can prize him away from Nottingham Forest.

And he feels his former O's team-mate is the kind of player who can be relied upon to perform well, week in, week out.

He told the Gazette: "Having played with Matt, I know if Colchester sign him they will get a very good experienced, left-sided player.

"He has a trusty left foot and he's a better defender than perhaps people give him credit for.

"He organises very well but he doesn't shout and scream - he leads by example.

"You don't play for that amount of time at Leyton Orient and then Nottingham Forest if you're not a good player.

"He is a very consistent performer and you will always get at least seven out of ten from him.

"The fans liked him at Leyton Orient and he's the kind of player who is missed when he is not in the team."

Colchester have reportedly bid £100,000 for Lockwood's services.

The Rochford-born defender is said to be keen on a move to the U's, after a frustrating season at the City Ground.

Lockwood arguably played his best football while at Leyton Orient, where he clocked up more than 375 games and spent nearly nine years.

Former team-mate Joseph, who also enjoyed a spell at non-league club Braintree Town, feels his ex-colleague can also provide valuable attacking options.

"Matt's very good with dead ball situations, corners and free-kicks and he has great qualities going forward," added Joseph.

"And in all of the time that we were at Leyton Orient together, I don't recall him ever missing a penalty."