Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has again scotched speculation that his talented teenager Lomana Tresor Lua Lua is set to sign for Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £2 million.

Whitton stressed yesterday: "I can categorically state that I have not spoken to the Tottenham Hotspur manager, or anyone else connected with Spurs, about Lomana.

"What I have already said about Lomana is still very much the case. Lomana is not for sale - nothing has changed!

"My chairman has not spoken to Spurs or any other club about Lomana since I last spoke with him."

Whitton has always insisted his young striker is not for sale "at any price."

And on Tuesday he pointed out that the U's are considering a further extension to the player's current contract which is due to run out at the end of next season.

Whitton has stressed for some time that Lua Lua will be better off developing with the U's in the Second Division rather than in some "big club's reserve side" playing FA Premier Reserve League football.

Meanwhile, the U's boss revealed he is planning talks to bring West Ham's Australian central defender Chris Coyne and Ipswich Town reserve midfielder Chris Keeble to the club in the very near future.

Whitton said: "I will be speaking with both players later this week with a view to signing them, Coyne on a month's loan and Keeble on a free transfer."

Coyne, a 21-year-old Brisbane-born centre-back was originally snapped up by the Hammers from Perth for £150,000 four years ago,

He has made just one Premiership appearance as a substitute and has only limited Football League and cup exerience - nine games - in short loan spells with Brentford and Southend.

Keeble, given a free transfer by Ipswich Town, is the son of former Layer Road striker Vic Keeble, a huge favourite with the U's during their move from the Southern League to the Football League between 1949 and 1952 before his £17,000 transfer to then First Division giants Newcastle United.

U's skipper Richard Wilkins is to have a further scan on his injured neck after seeing a specialist on Tuesday.

Not for sale - Lua Lua

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