DANNY Cowley has revealed that some of Colchester United’s first-team players have been informed they can leave the club this summer.

The U’s currently have a total of 13 contracted players in their squad for next season and are on the hunt for several new signings, as they aim to build a team capable of challenging at the top end of League Two.

Colchester released the likes of John Akinde, Tom Dallison and Sam Hornby, at the end of the last campaign.

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However, U’s head coach Cowley says some contracted players have been told they are free to try to pursue a move away from the JobServe Community Stadium.

Cowley said: “For us, it’s always to be player centred.

“From the moment that Nicky and I came in, the players that were with us last year gave a huge level of commitment and worked really, really hard to help the club stay in the division.

“We want so much more for the football club so that then subsequently means that you have to make tough decisions.

“The first part of that is to make the tough decision; the next part of that is to communicate that tough decision, which we’ve done with the players.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“Off the back of the season finishing, we met with every single player, spoke to them, gave them clarity on their performance last year and how we evaluated that.

“It’s always interesting to listen to their evaluations as well.

“We also gave them clarity over what the future looks like and for us, there are some that have been told that they’re free to leave and those conversations have been had with those players and with their agents.

“They’re in the process of trying to consider their options ultimately.

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“That will be happening up and down the country, at every football club.

“We’ll just see how those things unfold and when things do happen, we’ll communicate that accordingly.”

Colchester have so far made one senior signing this summer, bringing in goalkeeper Matt Macey from Portsmouth.

The U's are awaiting answers from Noah Chilvers, Cameron McGeehan, Chay Cooper and Al-Amin Kazeem, who are all out of contract, this summer.

Colchester's players report back for duty on July 1, with the new season getting underway on August 10.