Colchester United manager Adrian Boothroyd hopes Pat Baldwin will be able to improve his fitness levels after agreeing to let the defender move to the Memorial Stadium on a month's loan.

Baldwin has been sidelined since the end of August when he picked up an injury in the game against Southampton.

Botthroyd explained to the U's official website: "Pat's going out to get match-fit, because reserve-team football can only get you so far.

"The two boys in the team have done really well, but he's my captain and I've got Pat, Matt Heath and Paul Reid all pushing for first-team action.

"Bristol Rovers asked if they could take him for a period of time, but this is very much a temporary measure and I hope that he can go there and get ready to go for the second half of the season."