COLCHESTER United have been linked with a loan move for Ipswich Town starlet Armando Dobra before tomorrow night's transfer deadline.

The U's are thought to be keen on snapping up the versatile attacker prior to the transfer window closing at 11pm, on Tuesday.

Dobra has made 30 league and cup appearances for Ipswich since scoring on his senior debut for them in a Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town in August, 2019.

The 20-year-old has made three appearances for Town so far, this season and started their defeat at Burton Albion, earlier this month.

Town boss Paul Cook told TWTD: “We’re going to step through all those things one step at a time.

“The most important thing is that we protect ourselves and look after ourselves and we also have an eye on every player’s future development.

“There’s no better way in football to develop than playing football and it’s something that we want to do.

“Sometimes with young lads today, I feel people are in a hurry sometimes to get out on loan and to do stuff.

“These lads have been training with the first team all summer, we’ve learnt so much about them, numerous players, not just Corrie [Ndaba, who moved to Salford on loan last week].

“Going forward, as the injuries, hopefully clear up for us, the reality is we might let one or two go out on loan, that would obviously be over the next few days.”

Cook says that if Dobra does leave Town on loan, it will be with a view to his development rather than marking the end of his time at Portman Road.

Cook added: “One hundred per cent - Dobs is an absolutely cracking kid, he’s a pleasure to work with every day,

“He’s got a real desire to get better, he trains so hard, he wants to learn, he wants to just grow as a young player.

“If he’s not going to be coming on as sub or he’s not going to be playing, obviously with Sone Aluko being back fit etc, then the reality is for his development, he will play football, and that will see him come back to Ipswich Town in the hope that his development sees him progress towards our first team even more.”

The U's could face competition in their attempts to sign Dobra.

The Albania under-21 international is also said to be interesting the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Salford City and Leyton Orient.

Colchester are also hoping to bring a new forward into their squad in the next 36 hours, with boss Hayden Mullins still eager to boost his attacking options.