COLCHESTER United have confirmed that Hayden Mullins will be their new assistant manager.

Mullins has left Championship side Watford after four years to become assistant to Steve Ball at the U's, ahead of the new 2020-21 season.

The 41-year-old had caretaker spells in charge of the first team at Vicarage Road last season, when both Quique Sanchez Flores and Nigel Pearson departed.

That included the final two games of last season, in the Premier League.

Mullins had progressed to become Watford under-23s manager.

He had moved back to that role following the appointment of Vladimir Ivic as Head Coach, last month.

As a player, Mullins made almost 700 appearances across spells at six clubs, including Crystal Palace, Reading and Portsmouth.