Colchester United have been linked with a move for Newport County’s powerful striker Frank Nouble.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at Rodney Parade this summer and is yet to agree new terms with the Exiles on a new deal.

Newport are hoping to persuade Nouble to sign a fresh contract and stay with them for next season.

But the former West Ham United and Ipswich Town forward is understood to be on the radar of the U’s, who are looking to further bolster their squad ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Nouble, who played in the Premier League for the Hammers after joining them from Chelsea's academy, was one of Newport’s most regular starters, this season and played against Colchester in the U's 2-1 win in South Wales, last October.

The well-travelled 6ft 3in front man, who has also had spells at the likes of Wolves, Coventry City and Gillingham, hit the net ten times for Michael Flynn’s side during the course of their 2017-18 campaign.

Nouble, who is capped at England under-17 and under-19 level, would certainly provide a physical presence in the U's attack, should he make the move to the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester have already added Cheltenham Town midfielder Harry Pell to their ranks for next season, after he arrived at the Community Stadium for a six-figure sum last month.

And the U’s have also snapped up goalkeeper Bailey Vose and young left-back Noah Chesmain, from Brighton and Hove Albion and Millwall respectively.

But head coach John McGreal is eager to bolster his forward options for their forthcoming League Two campaign with Colchester managing 53 goals last season, the sixth-lowest scoring tally in the division.

And although McGreal still has Mikael Mandron, Sammie Szmodics and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe at his disposal, the departure of Kurtis Guthrie and loanee Liam Mandeville has left him shorter of options in that area.

Speaking at the end of the season, McGreal said: “We didn’t improve on our goalscoring record this year and we’ll definitely try to do that, next year.

“I think if you marry that up with your defensive record, you give yourself a fantastic chance to get yourself in and around that top seven.

“Hopefully this is where we can make a few additions and make a statement of intent to show we are going to try and have a go again, next year.”