Colchester in talks over City target

Striker Grant Holt, reported to be a Norwich City summer transfer target, could instead play against them on the opening day of the new season. Colchester United have confirmed they are in negotiations to sign the Shrewsbury Town sharpshooter.

Striker Grant Holt, reported to be a Norwich City summer transfer target, could instead play against them on the opening day of the new season.

Colchester United have confirmed they are in negotiations to sign the Shrewsbury Town sharpshooter.

The U's, who visit Carrow Road in the first League One fixture on Saturday, August 8, have had an initial bid for the player rejected, but are still determined to bring him to the Weston Homes Community Stadium. U's chief executive Steve Bradshaw said: "We have made a bid and the bid was rejected by Shrewsbury.

"We are still speaking to Shrewsbury at the moment.

"Negotiations are amicable and we're hoping that we can do business."

Holt finished as League Two's joint leading scorer last season.

Colchester are believed to have bid �250,000 for the former Nottingham Forest forward, who scored 28 goals in all competitions after a �175,000 move from the City Ground last summer. He scored five goals in one match, a 7-0 victory in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy second round against Wycombe Wanderers, Colchester manager Paul Lambert's former team.

Target man Clive Platt was the only regular striker employed by the U's last term, with the rest of their attacking force hit by injuries and loss of form.

Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson warned earlier this week that he expected Holt, recovering from an ankle operation, to stay with the club.

Simpson told Shrewsbury's official website: "The plan is that he will be going to Lilleshall for some intensive rehab and will hopefully join the rest of the squad in the middle of July."