Braintree Town have moved quickly to bolster their squad after the return of Sammie Szmodics to his parent club.
Iron boss Danny Cowley has brought in Millwall midfielder Jack Powell ahead of their Vanarama National League home game against Torquay United on Saturday.
Powell has joined on a one-month loan deal and has made three appearances for Millwall this season.
He has been brought in following the early termination of Szmodics' loan at Braintree.
The U's midfielder had been due to play one last game for Braintree on Saturday before the end of his one-month loan and Cowley told the Times that he was looking at the possibility of extending that.
However, the departure of Colchester manager Tony Humes today has seen Szmodics recalled early by caretaker bosses Richard Hall and John McGreal.
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