Colchester rejected bids for Payne - Cowley

Colchester United manager Danny Cowley says the club turned down bids for creative midfielder Jack Payne during the transfer window.

Payne played 90 minutes in Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat by League Two table-toppers Bristol Rovers, the U's first league loss this season.

The 31-year-old scored 13 goals and provided six assists for Colchester as they finished last season mid-table, and will stay at the club at least until January.

Cowley also said he wanted to extend Payne's contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season, before the window reopens in the new year.

It signals good news for U's fans after the club signed forward Kylian Kouassi and midfielder Jay Williams for undisclosed fees on deadline day.

"We had a couple of bids for Jack Payne which I think says everything about him," Cowley told BBC Essex.

"Very rarely do you get bids for League Two boys that are 30-plus [years of age].

"But it would have to be at least quadruple what they offered for me to even consider losing that boy because we love him and he loves us.

"Robbie [Cowling, Colchester chairman] always gives me the licence to tell players when offers come in because they know anyway, and I like to be transparent and it is their careers.

"But Payney loves it here - he didn't flinch, and we hope to be able to extend his contract in the near future. I haven't been here for so long but he must be one of the best players to play for Colchester United."