Jabo Ibehre told Colchester United he wanted to leave as soon as Tony Humes was appointed as the club’s manager.

Humes has revealed that the powerful striker informed him of his desire to go, immediately after his appointment at the start of last month.

Ibehre has quit the Weston Homes Community Stadium to join their League One rivals Oldham Athletic, on a three-month emergency loan.

The 31-year-old, who has recently been sidelined with a knee injury, is yet to play under Humes and is out of contract at the end of the season.

Humes said: “As soon as we took over, Jabo spoke to us about where he sees his future.

“He felt it was somewhere else and we just agreed to allow Jabo to go out on loan.

“Jabo came to us and said he wanted a new challenge and that was it from the outset really.

“He’s been injured so there’s nothing that could have been done, in that short space of time.

“But now he’s fit, we agreed to it.

“It’s one of those things - you want people who want to be at the club and are happy.

“You want them to strive to take the club forward and if it’s Jabo’s decision, then we have to abide with it.

“He’s out of contract at the end of the season, so maybe he sees this as an opportunity to secure his future for next season and beyond.”

For a three-page preview of the U's first-ever game with Fleetwood Town tomorrow, see Friday's Daily Gazette.