BEN Garner insists Colchester United are determined to land their transfer targets as they bid to beef up their squad ahead of the new season.

The U’s are pursuing several deals as they attempt to increase competition for places within their ranks, as the countdown to the new League Two campaign continues.

Colchester have already drafted in Ellis Iandolo and Nico Lawrence this summer, as they bid to become a force in the fourth tier.

READ MORE: Ben Garner offers assessment of U's pre-season so far

And U’s boss Garner says they have set their sights on bringing in the right players to the club, in the transfer window.

Garner said: “We want to add more.

“We’re looking to add several players to strengthen the squad and give us the quality and the depth and the competition that we want.

“That will be an on-going process, up until we get it exactly where we want it.

Gazette:

“We working hard on it.

“When you’re in League Two, you’re reliant on a lot of things happening from above, permissions from other clubs, etc.

“We’re working hard and we’ve got targets that we want and we don’t want to walk away from them.

“We want to pursue them and get the ideal players that we want.”

READ MORE: U's ease to victory in opening pre-season friendly

“If we can’t, then we’ll move onto other options and make sure that we get the squad as competitive as we can, ready for the season ahead.”

Iandolo and Lawrence both made their first appearances in a Colchester shirt in the club’s 4-0 win at Maldon and Tiptree, on Saturday afternoon.

Iandolo has joined the U’s from League Two rivals Swindon Town on a two-year deal, while Lawrence has linked up with the club on a season-long loan from Championship side Southampton.

Gazette:

Iandolo played in a central midfield role, while Lawrence was utilised in an advanced central defensive berth.

"We’re really happy with Ellis and Nico,” added Garner.

“They’ve settled really well and they’re both really good players and are good characters in the group.

“They’ve mixed in straight away.”

Colchester now have a full week of training at Florence Park before their next pre-season friendly, a trip to play National League new boys Ebbsfleet United, on Saturday (kick-off 1pm).