Colchester United boss, Joe Dunne, believes that wonder kid Macauley Bonne could be a “real cracker” for many years to come.

Bonne has enjoyed a fairytale last month, since his elevation to the first team following a succession of injuries to the club’s more senior players.

Just four days after making his debut, in a 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury on October 22, he celebrated his 18th birthday with the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Peterborough,

Since then, Bonne has gone on to score two more goals, from just six appearances.

The last of them was a wonder strike to notch the killer third in Tuesday night’s impressive 3-1 home win over MK Dons.

“Macca (Bonne) has now scored three, and he will score more,” insisted Dunne.

“He could have had a hat-trick (against MK Dons). He’s missed some glaring chances, but his head did not go down because he is young and has no fear.

“That’s the massive advantage that these younger players have, and that’s why I choose to put them in, because young players play with no fear.

“Macca has got something, that’s for sure.

“But he has to stay focused, because potential is nothing without the attitude that goes with it.

“I’m very pleased for him because he is a talented kid and when you put him on you feel he is going to score.

“That’s three goals now and he’s nearly our top goalscorer.

“That’s tremendous credit for someone who has not played many minutes, so once he gets used to this first team environment, he could be a real cracker for us in the future.”

Red-hot teenager Bonne, who was once on the youth books of Ipswich Town, has not taken long to recover from the disappointment of losing last week’s FA Youth Cup tie to Plymouth, following a 4-4 draw and the anguish of a penalty shoot-out.

Dunne said: “How quickly football changes.

“In just one week, from the disappointment of getting knocked out the FA Youth Cup, Macca has scored again for the first team, which is where it counts.

“He’s a natural goalscorer and we are the right club for him to be at.”