Colchester have signed striker Scott Vernon on loan from Blackpool, with U's pair Gareth Williams and Sam Stockley moving in the opposite direction. U's boss Phil Parkinson is keen for new blood to boost his side's hopes of automatic promotion from League One.
Vernon, 22, will spend the rest of the season at Layer Road.
Striker Williams, 23, will be at Bloomfield Road for the same period, along with experienced defensive team-mate Stockley, 28.