'Premier League watching Colchester players' - Cowley

Colchester United boss Danny Cowley says the "pace and athleticism" of the club's exciting young players is attracting a lot of interest from clubs at higher levels.

Forward Kyreece Lisbie, who has nine goals from 30 games this season, is one who has attracted "multiple offers" but is not the only one, according to the U's head coach.

"Pace and athleticism sells, particularly in modern-day football, and we've got some really good boys with really good attitudes and a willingness to learn," Cowley told BBC Essex.

"As a consequence of that, you'd expect there'll be people higher up the pyramid that would like to work with these players - and we're not scared of that, we embrace it.

"The scout list from the MK Dons game, there was literally well over half of the Premier League there watching our young players, which we should be really proud of."

Cowley is keen to keep his current squad together as Colchester are ninth in League Two, just four points away from the play-off places, and has told them not to allow themselves to be distracted by transfer rumours.

"I say to them all the time, 'focus on what you can control, keep trying to improve every single day'," he said.

"There are so few industries where you actually get paid to make yourself better but this is football, what a beautiful industry we work in. Let everybody else worry about the other stuff, keep your head down and keep working."

The official line is that Lisbie, whose brother Kyrell plays for Peterborough United in League One, is not for sale.

"Every player has his value but the great thing with our young players is that we have them on really good contracts, long contracts and it has to be right for the club," Cowley added.

"(Owner) Robbie (Cowling) will always make the best decision for the club, but also for the player, and there's always a balance in that."