Exciting news for Barnet supporters ... 33-year-old Colchester United left back Matt Lockwood is returning to Underhill on loan for a month. He will wear the number 33 shirt.

Ian Hendon captured the signature of the experienced Lockwood, a hit with Barnet fans when he played 12 games on loan last February, before the team coach left South Mimms at 9.30am today for the trip north for the League 2 match at Morecambe. Lockwood joined up with the squad and will later take part in a training session in Lancashire.

Hendon told www.barnetfc.com:   "Matt has experience and is an excellent player at this level".

Lockwood scored 50 goals in 328 appearances for Leyton Orient. He joined Colchester from Nottingham Forest in June 2008 and was on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge earlier this season. Colchester have said that his contract is not being renewed at the end of this season.

Lockwood's signing is fortuitous as Kenny Gillet has been unable to train all week because of the calf injury that led to him going off in the first half against Lincoln City last weekend.

Hendon's hopes of also signing a French striker with experience in the Scottish Premier League fell down at the 11th hour this morning, but the manager is pursuing several angles in a bid to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes next week.

Dennis Signy