New signing Simon Clark has vowed to put his illness nightmare behind him after putting pen to paper with Colchester United.

The tough-tackling central defender, signed from Leyton Orient on Wednesday, was out for five months last season with acute bronchitis.

Clark, 33, has been handed a two-year contract at Layer Road but the deal will only be rubber-stamped if he passes a strict medical.

He made just two appearances for Third Division Orient in the second half of the season but insists the misery is finally behind him.

The former Peterborough defender, last week on a family holiday at EuroDisney, told the Gazette: "The nightmare of being out injured for so long is finally behind me.

"It's great to have my future sorted out after a period of uncertainty and I'm delighted to have signed for Colchester United.

"I had five months out with acute bronchitis last season and I wondered when I was ever going to be well enough to play football again.

"I thought I had flu just before Christmas but it turned into something far worse after the Orient manager Tommy Taylor begged me to play on Boxing Day.

"I felt so ill on Christmas Day but we had a high-pressure game against Swansea and the boss really needed me to play.

"I spent two weeks in bed after that and lost three-quarters of a stone in body weight. It was a harrowing experience."

Clark has been brought in to plug a U's defence which conceded 82 League goals last season.

The left-sided defender will link up with Ross Johnson if contract rebel Aaron Skelton signs for either QPR or Luton Town.

Clark, who turned down moves to several Third Division clubs in favour of the U's, added: "The main problem at the club last season was the amount of goals being conceded.

"I'll be in great nick by the time the players come back for pre-season training and I can't wait to get started again. I've got plenty of experience and I will be an asset to the defence. There are not many naturally left-sided players in the game but hopefully I'll add some balance to the side."

The U's could be visiting Conference grounds again next season - as part of the revamped AutoWindscreens Shield.

The Football League will invite relegated Chester, plus last season's top seven clubs, into the new competition.

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