COLCHESTER United have held initial discussions with Fulham about extending the loan of winger Sylvester Jasper.

The talented 20-year-old has impressed since joining the U's on loan from the Championship club, in the summer.

Jasper has made 23 league and cup appearances for Colchester, scoring three times.

He has started their last seven games in all competitions but is due to see his current loan deal with Fulham come to an end, next month.

However, Colchester are hoping to keep him past January and have already started initial discussions with his parent club about that happening.

Colchester head coach Hayden Mullins said: “We’ve had initial chats with Fulham.

“Hopefully Sylv is enjoying his football, he’s playing and he’s doing well.

“That’s what the loan is for, for players to get minutes for themselves and to learn, while playing.

“We’ll have a chat with them and see if we can do something with Sylv.

“We’ll be having those chats and also seeing what other business we might be able to do as well."

Gazette:

Jasper has been a breath of fresh air since joining Colchester on his first loan away from Fulham.

He netted his first-ever senior goal for them in October when he scored the U's winner in their 1-0 win over Harrogate Town, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

And he followed that up with a fine strike in Colchester's televised FA Cup triumph over AFC Sudbury, last month.

Jasper also scored in the U's 3-1 triumph over Exeter City in League Two, last month.

Jasper's form has been recognised on the international stage, too.

He made his debut for Bulgaria under-21s last month when he featured for more than an hour in their 3-1 defeat to their Netherlands counterparts, in a Euro U21 qualifier.