DANNY Cowley believes bigger clubs will be 'desperate to sign' their exciting young strike duo Samson Tovide and Brad Ihionvien.

The young U's academy duo have both impressed for the first team in a difficult season in League Two for the club, catching the eye with their energetic and vibrant displays.

Tovide, who has made 21 league and cup appearances for Colchester this season and scored five goals, is pushing to be involved in their televised game at league leaders Mansfield Town on Saturday lunchtime.

The 20-year-old returned from a three-month injury lay-off by playing 45 minutes in the U's BBC Essex Senior Cup Final against Redbridge, on Tuesday night.

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Meanwhile, Ihionvien started Colchester's 1-1 draw with Walsall at the JobServe Community Stadium last weekend and impressed.

The 20-year-old played his part in Cameron McGeehan's second-half equaliser and proved a thorn in the Saddlers' side throughout.

Cowley said: "How exciting is it for Colchester United?

"We've got Brad who is just going to be a serious player and we've also got Samson.

"He was involved in the warm up (against Walsall) and we really wanted to use him but the medical team rightly said 'hold him back'.

Gazette:

"But we have two serious centre-forwards that clubs well, well, well beyond this level are going to be desperate to sign.

"Did you see what a handful Brad was (against Walsall)?

"He's just a baby still. He's just a young boy who's not been through an academy, the club have done brilliantly to recruit him.

"Since the day that Nicky and I have come in, you see a boy with brilliant physical attributes, really athletic and someone who wants to work on his game every single day and he's a great learner as well.

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"That tells me his potential is literally through the roof, which is so exciting."

Colchester United have announced that they will hold a fans forum, next month.

U's chairman Robbie Cowling, sporting director Dmitri Halajko, head coach Danny Cowley and his assistant Nicky Cowley will all be in attendance at the event, which takes place at the JobServe Community Stadium on Thursday, April 18, 7pm start.

Book your place at ticketing@colchesterunited.net