Pato interest shows strength of English game - Cowley

Alexandre Pato's interest in Colchester United underlines the overall strength of the English football pyramid, says manager Danny Cowley.

The former AC Milan and Brazil forward is part of a group interested in investing in the U's and attended last Saturday's home game against Fleetwood Town.

Chairman Robbie Cowling put the League Two club up for sale last year but a deal with the US-based Lightwell Sports Group fell through in June.

"It's a great football club with an incredible support base, with some really good foundations. Everybody can see the potential in the club and it's no surprise to me that there's as much interest as there is," Cowley told BBC Essex.

"Robbie has said that his focus is to make his last decision for this football club his best decision. I know the club means an awful lot to him as a person and it's not just about the finances for Robbie, it's about finding the right people to be able to carry on the legacy he's created.

"The fact that people far and wide want to be involved in English football - that says a lot for our pyramid and the quality of football in this country. That's something we should all be proud of and inspired by."

Asked about Pato's visit, Cowley joked: "We did ask if he'd be available to play for us on Tuesday [against Grimsby] because we're pretty short.

"We were thinking we could maybe play him with (Jack) Payne as a double 10 but unfortunately that wasn't possible."

The 36-year-old retired from playing last year, with a Serie A title with AC Milan in 2011 and a silver medal for Brazil at the 2012 London Olympics among the highlights of his career.

Colchester confirmed he attended the Fleetwood game as a guest of Cowling but BBC Sport was told on Monday that although a deal was "possible", it was not thought it was imminent.

"We have a lot of confidence in Robbie to make the right decision. We watch a lot of clubs, Shrewsbury, Tranmere, who are all in a similar position with potential takeovers happening and it's not easy in these moments," said Cowley.

"I'm so proud of the way - with any takeover there's uncertainty for us all - that everybody has just got on with it on a day-to-day basis.

"Nobody has used it as an excuse. Nobody has thought about themselves, everybody has just thought about doing the right thing for the club.

"That's the reason why we've been able to maintain the consistency and the standards that we have. We all, players, staff, supporters all deserve a lot of credit for that."

Colchester are 10th in the table, four points outside the play-offs, and are away to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.