Colchester United chairman Robbie Cowling on Noah Chilvers

But the U's chairman has stressed they would desperately like to see their academy product stay at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Chilvers' future is still unclear, as he is yet to sign the new deal offered to him by Colchester at the end of last season following the expiry of his previous contract, this summer.

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As the attacking midfielder is under the age of 24, the U's would be entitled to compensation should he decide to move to another club.

Chilvers is yet to feature for Colchester in pre-season and speaking at the Q and A at the Colchester United Open Day yesterday, Mr Cowling said: "Noah's been a great servant for this club and I don't think anyone here should deny him of his ambitions to go on and play higher.

"We would desperately like him to stay at the club - that's part of the problem.

"We're not making it easy for him to leave but nobody should be in doubt of what Noah's done for the club, especially over the last few years.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

"Whatever does happen, we're going to wish Noah really well.

"My hope is that we can sign him again and he stays at the club because I feel that there's some unfinished business with Noah and I'd like to see him turn out for us this year and have a successful year.

"But whatever happens, don't hold it against him that he's trying to do what he's trying to do.

"I'm also playing hardball for the club and that doesn't make it easy for Noah but I do understand his position and hopefully, everyone can bear with us while we work it out."

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U's head coach Danny Cowley says he is still hoping Chilvers will return to his squad for the forthcoming season.

He added: "The situation with Noah is pretty clear.

"Noah was out of contract at the end of last season but because he's under the age of 24, we still hold compensation rights for him.

"We offered Noah a new contract and Noah is still weighing up his options, which he's entitled to do.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

"I think the good news is that the situation is on our terms because either a club will come in and offer us a transfer fee that we decide is significant enough to allow Noah to leave or that club will take it to a tribunal and the external organisation will then decide what the fee is.

"Bearing in mind that Noah has been here since nine years of age and that the football club has turned down significant offers for Noah in the past, I think we're in a pretty strong position.

"Of course, we would like Noah to come back because I think he's a brilliant young player but if he doesn't, then we'll be well financed and we're very lucky that Robbie always allows us to reinvest that money back into the playing budget.

"For us, we always try to see the positive in every situation and the positive for us is that the Noah Chilvers circumstances are under our control."