Colchester United are keeping tabs on Gosport Borough’s in-form midfielder Mike Carter.

The 23-year-old impressed against the U’s in their FA Cup first-round win at Privett Park, in November.

And now Tony Humes is reportedly monitoring the progress of the former Southampton trainee, who is under contract at Gosport.

The midfielder has shone at Vanarama Conference South level, with a string of eye-catching displays.

And amid speculation that Colchester could be preparing a swoop for Carter in next month’s transfer window, Gosport boss Alex Pike says he understands why clubs are interested in his player.

He said: “It’s only third hand but we’ve heard that there are a number of clubs interested in Carter and they are clubs from the Football League.

“Nobody has made an official approach.

“He played against Colchester and they’ve said they’re keeping tabs on him.

“They have had a couple of tickets on the gate for every game since.

“We’ve had Burnley and Barnsley watching our games recently as well.

“There is interest in him and quite rightly so - I can’t think of a better all-round midfielder in our league at the moment."

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