COLCHESTER United striker Mika Mandron says there was never any chance of him leaving the JobServe Community Stadium.

The frontrunner has been in sparkling form during pre-season, scoring seven goals, and is looking forward to tomorrow’s League Two curtain-raiser at Notts County.

Things might have been different for the popular 23-year-old as he was reportedly on the radar of Utrecht, Peterborough United and Lincoln City.

However, Mandron insists there was never any doubt about his commitment to the U’s.

“Obviously there was talk of me going but there was any doubt in my mind about whether I was going to remain a Colchester player," said the Frenchman.

“I didn’t find it unsettling.

“It’s always flattering when teams are interested in you but when you know what you want and you’re happy where you are, it’s never difficult. It’s easy.

“Last season I had a very positive season.

“I played most games and scored some goals and although we didn’t achieve what we wanted as a team, I felt good on a personal level.

“I love working with the staff and get on well with the boys.

“Being at this club gives me a good opportunity to go and play and, performance-wise, there’s definitely more to come.

“It’s not always easy in your first season but you grow into a club the more time you spend there.

“You get used to the players around you and the way the manager wants you to play.

“It gets easier and hopefully I can keep improving.

“As a striker, you’re always looking to score goals and I always work hard on the training pitch to try and achieve that.”

Mandron’s most recent goals came in last weekend’s 5-1 pre-season victory against Gillingham.

He netted twice to cap a very encouraging summer schedule and believes that both individually and collectively, the signs looks promising.

“Every season you get the same buzz and adrenaline rush and that’s what happens when you love football. You just want to get back out there,” he said.

“Pre-season has gone well. We’ve worked hard and had some positive results, but that means nothing now.

“We just want to get going with the league and hopefully we can get off to a good start.

“Obviously some players have left and others have arrived during the summer.

“But we’ve made some very good signings and everyone has been committed and professional.

“They’ve brought a new energy to the team and we’ve also seen a few younger players come into the squad, which is always good and brings a freshness.

“Everyone’s working really well together.

“We’re all pushing each other and it’s very healthy to have that competition.

“It keeps everyone on their toes and everyone knows they have to play to the best of their ability, both in training and in games.

“We’ve got a stronger team compared to last year and we’ve shown throughout pre-season that we can play well, score goals and win games.

“Now we have to show it in the league.”