Colchester United manager Tony Humes has revealed he tried to sign Jacob Murphy on loan earlier in the season.

The winger has made a big impact since joining the U’s on loan from Championship side Norwich City, last week.

Murphy scored one goal and made another in Colchester’s 2-0 win over Yeovil Town, on Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old was also named as the sponsors’ man of the match on his U’s debut, in their 3-2 defeat against Crawley Town last Saturday.

Humes said: “Jacob had an impact on the game, through winning the penalty and then scoring a fantastic goal.

“He showed composure in a pressurised game and has shown what a good quality player he is.

“We were really pleased to get Jacob.

“We did try to get him earlier in the season and it didn’t quite come off.

“We’ve known his talent - I’ve known him since he was a 12 or 13 year-old at Norwich City.

“Both he and his brother have always been very talented players, so we know what he’s capable of and the quality he has.

“He fits in to how we want to do things here and I’m really delighted that he’s performed as he has (against Yeovil).

“He was a constant nuisance for them all evening.”

For three pages of U’s coverage, see Wednesday’s Daily Gazette.