Steven Gillespie is relishing the prospect of being Colchester United’s new number nine.

Former Liverpool trainee Gillespie grew up idolising the likes of Kop legends Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler, who both graced the famous shirt at Anfield.

Now Gillespie - who has signed a new two-year deal to stay at the U’s - will get the chance to follow in their footsteps by donning the iconic striker’s jersey.

U’s manager John Ward was delighted to tie Gillespie - who was out of contract this summer - to Colchester.

And he believes the striker’s request to claim the number nine shirt is a “statement of intent”.

Ward said: “Steven is very positive about what we’re trying to do.

“It’s nice that he wants to be seen as the key forward.

“He has asked me for the number nine shirt and that’s a statement of intent for next season.

“We know that there are goals in him and a fit Steven Gillespie playing and scoring regularly is something that we’re all after."

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