Colchester United have signed West Ham United striker Elliot Lee on loan until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old, who has recently been on loan at the U's League One rivals Blackpool, will go straight into their squad for their game against Fleetwood Town tomorrow night.

Lee spent a month on loan at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in the 2013-14 season.

He made four appearances for Colchester in that time under Joe Dunne, scoring once.

U's manager Kevin Keen has said he is on the lookout for squad reinforcements but has stated he only wants to bring in players who can improve his squad.

Keen knows striker Lee - who is the son of former Newcastle and England midfielder Rob - from his days as a coach at West Ham and has brought the striker in until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, midfielder Byron Lawrence has left Colchester this afternoon after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

The former Ipswich Town midfielder made one senior appearance for the U's.