Colchester must focus amid Terry 'noise' - Payne

Colchester United midfielder Jack Payne says the team cannot allow themselves to be distracted by reports of a possible takeover by a group including John Terry.

The former Chelsea and England defender added fuel to the rumours by attending Colchester's 2-1 home win over Accrington Stanley on Tuesday evening.

"Obviously we hear noises but we don't know any more than anyone else," top scorer Payne told BBC Essex following the match.

"When you hear certain names there's a slight excitement, but until anything happens all we can do when there's so many games, and we're in the thick of it, is just focus on game by game and go from there."

Terry is the second big name linked with Colchester since the start of the year, but talks with a consortium that included ex-AC Milan and Brazil striker Alexandre Pato broke down last month.

• Terry attends Colchester game amid takeover reports

Colchester have confirmed that "detailed discussions" are now taking place about the sale of the club but say it is not possible to confirm the names of any individuals or companies involved at this stage.

"We didn't expect to be front page of The Sun on Monday morning. It's a football club that is dear to my heart so it's good to see us in the headlines," head coach Danny Cowley said following the game.

"We knew there would be media intrusion tonight and we wanted to try and show our best performance."

Terry's nephew Frankie played the full game for Colchester against Accrington, and they have now won three games in a row.

Colchester are, however, highly unlikely to reach the play-offs as they are nine points below Chesterfield in seventh place, with only three games remaining, the first of them at bottom side Harrogate Town.

"Three games in a row is really good but we've got a quick turnaround for Saturday, which is going to be a really tough game, but hopefully we can make it four in four," Payne added.

"There's three games left and we want to leave it all out there and finish the season as strong as possible, from an individual perspective, from a team perspective, and we want to give the supporters what they deserve."