Colchester United manager Kevin Keen says Alex Gilbey can be playing in the Premier League in the next “two or three years” after he scored in their 1-1 draw with Fleetwood Town.

Gilbey capped an impressive individual display with a goal, as the U’s shared the spoils with the Cod Army at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Keen said: “Alex Gilbey is a precious jewel for this football club and I think in two or three years, he’s a Premier League player.

“He was outstanding for us tonight – he covered every blade of grass and his athleticism, attention on the ball and the way he plays was fantastic.

“I think he’s a jewel at this club and one of the best players in the division.

“He’s worth a hell of a lot of money for this football and he’s learning very quickly.

“He showed all-round ability to score and he’s worth in my opinion a hell of a lot of money.”

Colchester remain five points adrift of safety in League One, after Eggert Jonsson’s fine finish on the hour cancelled out Gilbey’s opener.

Gilbey was denied by Fleetwood keeper Chris Maxwell in the closing stages, as the U’s missed the chance to move closer to safety.

Keen said: “It’s a point on the way to the 30 points I think we need.

“It’s down to 29 – it’s a big ask but I’m sure once we get that win, we’ll be on the way.

“For a team that is struggling towards the bottom of the league and not winning games, the reaction to going 1-1 was fantastic.

“It would have been easy for them to have let Fleetwood take over the game.

“But we really upped the tempo of the game and took the game to them, especially the midfield three of Garvan, Gilbey and Moncur.

“We had more corners and free-kicks and little chances towards the end and they were playing on the break, which there’s nothing wrong with."

For more on the U’s game with Fleetwood, see Wednesday’s Daily Gazette.