By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

22nd Feb, 2023 | 7:30am

Sources: Ex-Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley is top contender for Colchester United job

Former Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley is a leading contender for the vacant Colchester United manager’s job, sources have told Football Insider.

The League Two outfit are searching for a new manager following Matt Bloomfield’s departure to Wycombe Wanderers to replace Gareth Ainsworth.

Cowley, 44, has been out of work since being sacked by Portsmouth last month and he is understood to have admirers within the Colchester boardroom as they look to offer him a quick return to management.

The ex-midfielder was sacked by Portsmouth after a 3-1 defeat to Charlton on New Year’s Day saw them drop to 12th in the League One table and extend their winless run to nine games.

The Pompey have won three league games since Cowley’s departure and are currently tenth in the table and five points behind ninth place Peterborough.

Speaking on the EFL highlights show (4 February) about his potential return to management, Cowley said he “will have to wait and see” but insisted he will use his break to “improve” while he waits for another opportunity.

Bloomfield took over at Colchester in October before departing to Wycombe Wanderers just five months after his arrival to take over from Gary Ainsworth.

Bloomfield took charge of a Colchester side who were one sitting just point above the relegation zone after ten matches.

Since then they have moved up the table to 19th with 35 points from 33 games and are 14 points clear of bottom-placed Rochdale.

In other news, according to sources, Livingston submit offer for ex-Liverpool and Colchester keeper Shamal George.