Joe Taylor was recalled by Luton Town after U's loan spell

But the U’s head coach has spoken in glowing terms of the attacking armoury he still has at his disposal and specifically, the club’s young forwards.

Taylor, who hit 11 league goals for Colchester in the first half of the season, took part in one training session under the Cowleys just after they took over before returning to Luton and subsequently joining League One side Lincoln City on loan until the end of the campaign.

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Cowley said: “We were of course disappointed to lose Joe.

“Joe scored 11 goals, which I think was a brilliant return for him.

“Of course, when a team is sitting where we are in the league and you lose a player who has scored so many goals, it’s going to hurt.

“But this was already decided before we got here.

“I think it was a club decision and Luton had obviously seen that he had done really well in League Two.

“He had a huge amount of interest in League One.

“We were disappointed that we lost him; if he was going to go anywhere, then I’m pleased he’s gone to Lincoln City because it’s a club that I know well and I’m really fond of.

“I had a really good chat with Joe on the Thursday.

“He trained with us once – I think he enjoyed it!

“Joe’s a really good kid and you could tell that he’s got a really steely determination, is very single minded and wants to score goals.

“I like those qualities and we wish him well.”

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Cowley says he is lucky to have the attacking options he has at Colchester, as he looks to lift the club away from relegation danger.

The U’s boss says he is excited to be working with them and has spoken in glowing terms of academy products Samson Tovide and Bradley Ihionvien.

“The good thing is that we’ve got brilliant forwards here – you just have to look around with the likes of Tom Hopper, John Akinde, Bradley Ihionvien and Samson Tovide,” said Cowley.

“We’re so lucky to have Bradley and Samson – every time I’m on Sky Sports, I just want people to know how good these young players are.

“We’re so excited to be able to work with them.

“Samson is frustrated with his injury but he still has his Sunday team, so he still has some football involvement. What a great story that is, I love that.

“When you find the boys who love the game, you know that you’re going to have a connection.

“This is a brilliant football club with brilliant people and it’s such a wonderful place to come to work.

“Why wouldn’t you want to play for Colchester United? For me, in the position that we’re in, this is an easy sell.”