DANNY Cowley says he would ideally love to have all of his new signings in place by the time Colchester United report back for pre-season training, at the start of July.

But the U's boss acknowledges that it is unlikely that will happen, with deals developing and progressing as the transfer window unfolds.

Colchester are busy behind the scenes trying to bring in new players, ahead of the 2024-25 League Two campaign.

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The U's are aiming to make a number of new signings, as the Cowleys strive to make the club a competitive force again in the division.

Colchester report back for pre-season training on July 1 - but head coach Cowley admits that is likely to be too early for all of their transfer business to be concluded.

Cowley said: “We would love to have the full squad together, come July 1.

“I’ve lived football long enough to know that we don’t live in an ideal world.

“It’s probably not possible, because we also know that there’s often better value, as the window unfolds.

Gazette: Danny Cowley

“I think we have to try to find a really healthy balance.

“The good news is that we have clarity over how we want to play.

“We know exactly the type of players and exactly the type of people that we need to sign, in order to make this club successful."

Colchester are looking for reinforcements, with Jay Mingi having left to join League One new boys Stockport County earlier this month and a number of senior players including John Akinde and Tom Dallison being released at the end of the season.

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The U's are yet to announce whether or not Cameron McGeehan, Noah Chilvers, Chay Cooper and Al-Amin Kazeem will be staying with them for the 2024-25 campaign, after the quartet were all offered fresh deals with their existing contracts set to expire.

The transfer window opens for EFL clubs to make signings on June 14 and closes on August 30.

Colchester will learn their fixture schedule for the upcoming 2024/25 season on Wednesday June 26, at 9am.

The U’s hold their Open Day on July 21, with the new League Two season getting underway on August 10.