Robbie Cowling insists there is no danger of Colchester United losing any of their talented youngsters on the cheap.

The likes of Alex Gilbey, Frankie Kent and Sammie Szmodics have caught the eye this season, following some impressive first-team displays.

Their form in League One has won plenty of plaudits over recent weeks, fuelling talk that they might become targets for bigger clubs.

But Colchester chairman Cowling has stressed the club has a strategy in place to keep hold of their young starlets.

He has stressed that their fledgling stars are going nowhere and expects them to continue their development with the U’s for the foreseeable future.

Cowling said: “It’s far too early for that - these players have nowhere near fulfilled their potential.

“And we wouldn’t have invested as much in our youth set-up without having a real good strategy in place, with regard to contracts.”

Colchester’s academy was awarded Category Two status in June, as part of the Premier League-initiated Elite Player Performance Plan.

Securing elite status means the U’s are entitled to greater compensation for their young players, giving them better protection to prevent bigger clubs from poaching them.

Cowling has invested heavily in Colchester’s academy over recent years - and he believes it is beginning to pay dividends.

He said: “I think we’re starting to see the benefits of the time and investment that has been put into the academy, there’s no doubt about it.

“We’ve seen the likes of Alex Glibey, Drey Wright, Frankie Kent and Sammie Szmodics all break into the first team.

“I don’t think that would have happened had it not been for the academy we have and the benefits it brings.

“It’s great to see and the academy is a real passion of mine - I get quite nervous for them when I see them play but they’re growing in confidence every week.”

Meanwhile, Cowling says he is pleased with Colchester’s improved results under Tony Humes.

The U’s boss has led his side to two wins, two draws and a defeat since taking over from Joe Dunne, at the start of last month.

“I’m very pleased with the way things have gone over the last few weeks,” he added.

“We’ve played well all season both under Joe and now Tony Humes, without having that bit of fortune you need.

“We had a bit of luck last Saturday with Crewe hitting the post and perhaps that’s what you need sometimes.”

For all of the latest Colchester United, including Karl Duguid's weekly column, see Thursday's Daily Gazette.