MATT Jay admits he is unsure whether he will still be a Colchester United player by the time the transfer window closes.

But the U’s attacker has vowed to be fit and ready for the start of the new season, regardless of where he is playing his football.

Jay, who has a year remaining on his Colchester contract, has been linked with a move away from the JobServe Community Stadium, this summer.

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The 28-year-old made only two starts for the U’s in the second half of last season under Danny Cowley, who is reshaping his squad ahead of the new League Two campaign.

Jay said: “It’s difficult for me at the moment, because I’m not really sure where I’m going to be.

“There’s obviously been a lot of talk of the manager and the club wanting to let a few players go and bring a few players in, so I’m just kind of taking every week as best I can and seeing where things are.

“But I want to be fit and I want to be ready.

(Image: Richard Blaxall)

“I’m contracted at the club at the moment and I’ve got to be respectful of what I’m doing.

“Wherever it’ll be, I’m excited for the season.

“If you don’t get your head down and work hard, then it’s not really going to get you anywhere.

“This is what I get paid to do so I try to give it as best I can, for as long as I can.

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“As long as I have the respect both sides which it has been, I’ll always give everything I’ve got for whoever has me, basically.

“The transfer window goes into September, so there’s plenty of time to figure out what will be and see where I am.”

Jay played in the second half of Colchester’s opening friendly of the summer last weekend, a 2-0 win at Pitching In Isthmian League division north side Maldon and Tiptree.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“We had a good break, probably the longest break I’ve had for a number of years,” added Jay, who has made 38 league and cup appearances for the U’s since joining them for an undisclosed fee from Exeter City in January, 2023.

“We had about eight weeks off but we’ve trained for a couple of weeks now.

“It’s always nice to get back out on the pitch and that’s what we’ve been training hard for.”