Scouts from Championship clubs, and even Premier League clubs, are rolling up to the Weston Homes Community Stadium to cast their eye over Sammie Szmodics, but Colchester United’s No. 10 is only intent on propelling the U’s further up the League Two table.

Szmodics boosted his goal-tally for the season to nine goals, from just 18 appearances, following a brace in Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Exeter City.

And it was so nearly a hat-trick. His effort for the first goal has been credited as an own goal, while the 22-year-old also struck the post with a cracking shot late in the first half, when the U’s were already 3-0 up.

“It’s always nice to hear that scouts are coming to watch you play,” explained Szmodics.

“But like all the boys in there, we just focus on playing.

“Obviously everybody knows that the January (transfer) window is coming up, and at the end of the season as well.

“But right at the minute, not just me – but all the boys – want to help the team by scoring goals and playing well, to help Colchester get up the table.

“That’s nine goal for the season now. But I’m not giving myself a goal-target. My target is simply to keep playing games and keep getting minutes, because I have been injured for so long.

“Goals are a bonus. I’m happy to complete nearly another 90 minutes today, and score two goals to help the team.

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“It was nearly a hat-trick, and I celebrated just in case for that first goal (own goal by Troy Archibald-Henville).

“I think my best shot of them all was the one that hit the inside of the post (on 41 minutes). I was already running off ready to celebrate, but unfortunately it hit the post and went across the whole goal-line before going out for a goal-kick.”

Szmodics also praised the U’s defence for Saturday’s superb showing.

“It’s not just attacking wise that we played well, but defensively as well,” said Szmodics.

“They did the job at their end, and we did our job at the other end. “We were disappointed to concede one goal, but we sort of won the game in the first half.

“We had just had two weeks off since our last game, so we were fresh and raring to go. We needed a fast start, and we got it.”