Unselfish Clinton Morrison paid tribute to team-mate Sanchez Watt, following the ex-Arsenal winger’s dazzling contribution during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Gillingham.

Watt has had a nightmarish last 14 months, struggling to overcome injuries, but the 22-year-old old bounced back in style to bury the Gills.

Having bagged the opener, in the 50th minute – his first goal since the 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury on October 27, 2012 – he then set up his old team-mate Morrison with the second to seal a perfect first home start in more than four months. “Sanchez is a big player for us,” enthused Morrison. “It’s the 86th minute and he is still going strong. He has robbed them and beat two players. “If that guy stays fit, Colchester have got a great chance.

“I said when Sanchez first came in here that he is going to be one of the best signings in this league this season, because when he is on his day, he is frightening. “I played with him at Sheffield Wednesday before, and I know what the kid can do. “He needs to slow down a bit, and he will then go where he wants to go, because he is that good,” added Morrison.

Veteran front-man Morrison, who began his professional career at Crystal Palace in 1998, proved that he can still score goals, at the age of 34, by diverting home Watt’s miscued shot in the 86th minute.

He revealed: “Sanchez said to me before the game – ‘I will get you a goal Clint’ – and you know that when Sanchez is on the ball, anything can happen, even though he’s not fully fit yet.

“The boy has got some untold ability, and in the second half of the season I think he will help us a lot.

“It was one of those moments when I just knew, being a striker’s reaction, that if Sanchez mis-hit it then I’m just going to stick my foot out.

“He has managed to mis-hit it and so that’s a poacher’s goal. I have been doing that all my life, but just not at Colchester.

“Two goals this season is not good enough for what I want to do, but then I have not played enough games.”