COLCHESTER United have told Theo Robinson they would like to extend his loan spell until the end of the season.

But any potential U’s return for the Southend United striker is now in the hands of chairman Robbie Cowling and director of football Tony Humes, according to head coach John McGreal.

Robinson is now back at the League One club, with Blues boss Sol Campbell stating yesterday that they were yet to make a decision on the forward’s future.

Colchester want to bring the 30-year-old back on loan for the second half of the season and speaking at today’s pre-match press conference ahead of their game at Morecambe this weekend, boss McGreal says he is now waiting to see if a deal can be struck.

McGreal said: “Theo isn’t our player.

“He’s gone back to Southend this week but we’ve made our intentions clear.

“We had a chat with Theo before he went and it’s now in the hands of the chairman (Robbie Cowling) and (director of football) Tony Humes, to see where we’re going with that.

“There’s a list that we’ve compiled that we’ve been going through but we’ve let it be known to Theo that we’re interested, so we’ll see where we are with it.

“The good thing is the two-club rule, which means because he’s already played for us and Southend he can’t play for anyone else (this season) unless he drops out of the league, which I don’t think he wants to because he’s scored seven goals in ten starts for us.

“That does favour us in a way and we made it clear to him that we’ll look to try and do something.”

Colchester had double reason to celebrate this week after both head coach McGreal and midfielder Harry Pell were nominated for the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month and Player of the Month awards for December.

The U’s were in fine form last month, taking 11 points from their five unbeaten games.

“I think that’s seven times now which is fantastic for me and Steve (Ball) and the club,” said McGreal.

“I don’t think I’ll get it, looking back on it but it’s not for the lack of trying.

“It’s recognition of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

“You get the plaudits but generally, it’s the boys and the team.

“You try and implement the style of play and how you want to try and do things but you need your players to echo that on the pitch and they’ve been able to do that.

“December was a gruelling month; coming back from 2-0 down at Scunthorpe to draw 2-2, then going to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup to play in the club’s first League Cup quarter-final for 45 years, to then come back down from that and beat Carlisle at home, credit to the boys.

“I get the nomination but it’s more about the team and the players and we’re all one big collective.”

Pell has been shortlisted after scoring three goals and registering two assists in five games last month, after returning from injury.

“I’m delighted for Pelle, for what he’s been through to where he is now with his performances,” added McGreal.

“I think it’s a fantastic achievement to get nominated.

“I don’t know if he’ll get it or not but I hope he does get it, especially after what he’s been through with his recurrence of injuries and a new injury.

“He just keeps coming back and fighting and fighting.

“He’s a fighter and he’s shown his true worth in terms of what he brings to the team.”