Boss Hints At Summer Squad Trim

Manager Paul Lambert has given the clearest induction yet that Colchester United will see some players leave this summer, in an interview over the weekend.

The Scotsman told the EADT: “The squad is big and needs to be trimmed down a little,” in a week where defender Chris Coyne and striker Akanni-Sunday Waisu have both publically considered their future at the club.

Weeks ago, young winger Medi Elito, who has hardly played under Lambert since he arrived in the autumn, admitted that he was also looking to break the first-team squad.

It also looks as if Lambert will tweak the squad, and by next season should be able to rely on a fully-fit Steven Gillespie to find the back of the net more often.

Given the financial cuts this season, Lambert may also be under strict orders to sell before he can buy, although so far has held onto the majority of the squad he inherited from previous boss, Geraint Williams.

Lambert may look to sign goalie Jimmy Walker on a permanent deal, and Lewis Gobern says he will consider signing on the dotted-line if his current contact at Wolves is allowed to expire.

The club are also thought to be monitoring Plymouth`s Jermaine Easter, who has just returned to reserve action following an 11-week lay-off after an injury he sustained while on loan with United.

Easter himself has said he is now tonally committed to the Pilgrims: “I made a mistake in asking to leave. There were other things going on outside of football which I let affect me.

“The injury gave me time to reflect on that and now I’m 100 per cent focused on the job in hand.”



Insert photo by Rob Shamrock, used with kind permission of CU-FC.