Stevenage Steve Evans says Colchester United are one of "three or four" clubs interested in taking Harry Anderson on loan in January.

U's manager Danny Cowley was a surprise spectator on Wednesday night at Boro's 2-1 Herts Senior Cup win at Potters Bar Town.

And while the county fixtures are usually carried by Boro's U18s team, Anderson and Reece Hannam were two first teamers who played at the Lantern Stadium.

And Anderson, who played under Cowley at Lincoln City, scored the first goal goal in a 45-minute appearance.

Evans explained the latest situation on any deal.

"In fairness to Harry, there are three or four that have asked about the option of taking him on loan," said the Boro boss. 

"I was speaking to Danny yesterday morning and he said he’d send someone along and then I get the phone call, I was at another game, but I get the phone call to say Danny has sneaked into Potters Bar. 

"And I thought ‘well, he won’t be anonymous for long if you’re telling me’. 

"He likes him. Harry was brilliant with Danny at Lincoln and I would assume that Colchester have an interest if Danny is there. 

"Whether Danny left the ground thinking ‘I'm still keen on Harry’, I've not got caught up with [director of football] Leon Hunter this morning, all I know is he has meeting s this morning. 

"We'll catch up after training but if you are Danny Cowley and you are Colchester, what a signing Harry Anderson would be. 

"But there's others in so Harry might choose to go in a different direction or he may choose to stay here. 

"The one thing that experience brings you is that if players don’t go out, you still love them and you still treat them respect. You still treat them well. 

"And who knows, a week later he could come off the bench, score the winner and then his is back playing as part of it. 

"That's football."

The 27-year-old gave an impressive performance in the first half of the Senior Cup match.

Injured for most of the season so far, there was no doubt his general fitness is now spot on and he has lost none of the speed, or the change in speed, or the dribbling skills for which he is know.

Should he stay in League One with Boro, Evans would be delighted.

He said: "He's almost like a son. He comes in early because he has been injured a bit and we have a catch up. 

"He’s got himself in a very good place. He's got himself incredibly fit and only he deserves that credit. 

"I know the fitness team take him through it but he has to put the work in. 

"His home life is really special. He's got a new little son and he's really happy and all that side's good.  

"He now needs minutes. Our frustration is we have 10 weeks of our season left and Harry needs minutes now, for his for his own sake and for his own well-being. 

"Footballers are brought up wanting to play football. 

"We’ve listened to him that he would like to go on loan if it was the right club. 

"So that's onto Leon now. I just facilitate it by saying yes."