Daggers sign U's defender on loan

Lockwood was named in the League One team of the year in 2007

Dagenham and Redbridge have signed Colchester United defender Matt Lockwood on a month-long loan.

The 33-year-old arrives at Victoria Road after Daggers full-back Scott Griffiths was loaned to Peterborough until January.

Lockwood has previously played for Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Nottingham Forest and Barnet.

Daggers manager John Still said: "I'm delighted to have such an experienced player as Matt joining us on loan."

Lockwood started his career at Queens Park Rangers as a trainee in 1995 but made his first professional impact at Bristol Rovers where he made 58 appearances.

Matt is an ideal short-term replacement for Scott Griffiths whilst we continue to find a permanent signing Daggers manager John Still

In the 1998 close season, he moved on a free transfer to Leyton Orient where he became an integral part of the first team.

In July 2007, Lockwood left Orient for fellow League One club Nottingham Forest and helped them gain automatic promotion to the Championship as they finished second in League One.

He moved back to Essex in June 2008 and signed for Colchester United.

The defender's most recent start for Colchester United was last Saturday's game at home to Walsall.

He also had a loan spell in February 2009 at Barnet where he made 12 appearances.

Dagenham and Redbridge boss John Still had been looking for a replacement for Scott Griffiths since his move to Peterborough earlier in the month.

"Matt Lockwood knows the game very well and has played at the level in the past," he said.

"He already knows, and is friends with, a number of our squad already.

"Matt is an ideal short-term replacement for Scott Griffiths whilst we continue to find a permanent signing."