Colchester United boss Hayden Mullins on summer signings

And the U's head coach says he is particularly delighted to have secured the signature of loan signing Armando Dobra on deadline day.

Colchester have snapped up 11 new first-team players since the end of last season, with Dobra's arrival from Ipswich Town on Tuesday their final summer capture.

Mullins said: "I'm really happy with the squad that we've got.

"I feel we've got a number of options in different positions and we have quality and experience and youth as well, so I'm really happy.

"I'm very pleased and I think we've brought in a number of good characters into the dressing room.

"There are good options, experience, youth, the lot so I'm really happy with what we've done.

"The only thing we had to do after that was try and get them to gel and knit together and I think we're doing that.

"We're really getting together as a team and as unit and that's important.

"We had such a big turnaround of lads and trying to get them to gel is crucial.

"I feel we're in a good place at the moment and it feels like a real good team - we're a tough side."

New recruit - Colchester United have signed Ipswich Town youngster Armando Dobra on loan Picture: PA WIRE

Dobra could make his Colchester debut when they play host to Sutton United at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Mullins said: "There were a lot of different options and ones that didn't come off but I think the Dobra one was the one we wanted to try and pursue and it was good to get it over the line.

"It was important that we have different options but I really feel that we have a good young talent in and another good attacking option.

"We're getting a player who's match fit and ready to go and that was important.

"There were a couple of options we looked at who hadn't trained and haven't really had a good pre-season, so we didn't really want to get someone in who we'd have to wait two, three, or four weeks for.

"It was important that we got Dobra in and he wanted to come, which is another massive plus.

"He wants to be a part of it and he's hungry to show everyone what he can do.

"If he can earn himself that opportunity here, then fantastic."

Dobra has already played three times for Town this season and the young attacker be hoping to make his Colchester debut this weekend.

"He'll bring energy, a bit of flair, creativity," added Mullins, who confirmed that there were no late offers for any Colchester players before this week's deadline.

"We played Ipswich in pre-season and I thought he was one of their real bright talents, on the night.

"He caused us a problem all night and played in that wide area and when he got it, he looked to attack us.

"He was direct, quick and we know what we're bringing in, in terms of his quality.

"We know their squad is big and his name came up; he was definitely one that we wanted to pursue.

"He's a real good, young talent and has loads of energy and he's played quite a few games for them, in League One.

"We feel we're getting a good player - he's young and impressionable and he wants to prove what he can do.

"He wants to play games and I think it's testament to him - there were a few other clubs interested in him and he chose us, which was good."