released by cambridge in december 1990, ryan made a swift return to colchester, going on to add 14 further appearances for the club during the second half of the 1990–91 season. he scored his first goal for the club on 12 march 1991 in a 2–2 draw with runcorn. he scored two further goals in what would be his final game for colchester on 4 may in a 2–0 win against kidderminster harriers at layer road.