DMITRI Halajko has revealed Colchester United will be looking to add more experienced players to their squad, this summer.

With their League Two status now secured, the U's are this week starting the process of building a squad with the aim of challenging at the right end of the table next season, under Danny and Nicky Cowley.

Colchester have found themselves short of more seasoned players at times this season, with the likes of Fiacre Kelleher, Mandela Egbo, Tom Dallison and Connor Hall all spending time on the sidelines.

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And Halajko says that is something they will be looking to address, as they build a squad for the 2024-25 campaign.

Speaking at the recent U's fans' forum for season-ticket holders, Halajko said: "I think next year, we'll definitely look to add some experience in some key positions.

"That's definitely something that we've lacked a little bit, this season.

"The next window will give us a chance to address that and have a healthy balance.

"We always want youth in our teams and that's aligned, from Robbie (Cowling) right through to these guys (the Cowleys).

Gazette: Robbie Cowling

"We like the energy that that brings but equally, you need a few Dads in the team.

"We've missed that on a few occasions, this year in some games due to some of our more established players being injured and we've been even younger that we'd prepared for.

"We've been without people like Kells (Fiacre Kelleher) who's a big leader for us and a big player having quite a lot of injuries, this year.

"We've been even younger than we designed so we need to readdress that balance a little bit.

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"Experience can be really valuable, especially in football.

"Every successful team will have an element of that.

"You have to get those key experienced players in the right positions and they've got to be the right make up for the team.

"So it's definitely something that we've already spoken about, for next year.

"Hopefully, we can get some of those key players in."

Gazette:

Speaking at the fans' forum earlier this month, Halajko said Colchester have been holding regular recruitment meetings prior to this season finishing, as they turn their attention to bolstering their squad.

U's boss Cowley is due to speak to his current playing squad, this week following last weekend's final game.

He added: “We’ve been compiling a long list - all of the players who are out of contract, all of the players who might be available to loan, in some of the key positions that we’re looking for.

“We’ll then start to do our detailed work on those, going out to watch them, doing a statistical breakdown, speaking to their agents, speaking to the players themselves and whittling that down to two or three, into the shortlist."