Bristol Rovers sign Colchester United defender on loan

​Bristol Rovers have today signed Colchester United's 6ft 3ins defender Pat Baldwin on a month's loan with a view to a permanent deal.

The Pirates are keen to strengthen their rearguard ahead of this weekend's home game against Gillingham as they are missing first-choice full-backs Aaron Lescott and Carl Regan.

Baldwin, a versatile 27-year-old who started his career with Chelsea, can play in a variety of positions along the back line although is primarily a central defender.

He joined Colchester in 2002 and has made 198 league appearances for the Essex club, scoring once.

Baldwin has had seven first-team outings this season but then lost his place in the side and has not featured since September after suffering a knee injury playing against Southampton.

Bristol Rovers manager Paul Trollope said; "We are delighted to secure Pat's signature and pleased that the loan spell takes us through a busy spell in the short term and also over the Christmas period.

"Pat is a very experienced League One defender who has tasted a promotion out of this division with Colchester, and played regularly in the Championship.

"He goes straight into the squad for the game against Gillingham tomorrow. We've managed to complete all of the paperwork in time, prior to training this morning, so he will train with the group and is available for selection."