Colchester youngster Russell Malton has joined non-league Heybridge Swifts on loan for two months.

The teenage winger, who signed a professional contract at the Community Stadium over the summer, was made available for loan by manager Aidy Boothroyd in order to gain some first-team experience.

Malton said: "It's going to be good for me to be involved in first-team football for a couple of months and get my fitness levels up there.

"Hopefully I will get plenty of games under my belt."