Colchester United boss John Ward has admitted an interest in a non-league forward - but has been put off by his £100,000 price tag.

The U's manager has stressed he will not pay over the odds to bring in new faces.

And he has admitted looking to the non-league to try and find a bargain.

However, the U’s were rebuffed in their attempts to sign the player in question, after being quoted a six-figure fee.

Ward said: “The non-league is an option.

“We keep hearing about the lad Jamie Vardy at Fleetwood but they apparently value him at £1m.

“And Scunthorpe took Connor Jennings from Stalybridge Celtic, for an undisclosed fee.

“I have enquired about a non-league striker but we were quoted a price of £100,000.

“I think at this stage, it is more likely to be a loan signing that we make.”

For more on this story, including an update on Kayode Odejayi's ankle injury, see Tuesday's Gazette.