Trialists Lloyd James and Ben Coker have both been offered contracts, while James Walker has left the club.

The trio have been on trial at the club since the U's squad returned to training just over two weeks ago, with James and Coker playing 45 minutes of all of the friendly fixtures so far, while Walker played in the first two, scoring one goal against Heybridge Swifts.

Speaking to the club's site after the win at Maldon & Tiptree yesterday, U's boss John Ward confirmed: "We have made offers to those two.

"I informed them yesterday (Friday) as promised and they are mulling over their offers and we will see what they say.

"Lloyd is capable of long or short passes off both feet and can also play full back if required.

"He has a versatility which will be useful in either a two or three man midfield.

"The thing that has really pleased me is that he wants to be here and that's really important. He sees it as more than just a job, he sees something in Colchester that he likes.

"As for Ben, he is a real footballer. He has come out of non-league and impressed, although I have told him that he may find it hard to get in first team initially.

"What we will do is help him get a start in his career and if we need to loan him out to get some experience, as we did with Medy Elito last season, then we will do that to make him a better player for us in the future."

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