Colchester United manager Joe Dunne has insisted he will not allow contract talks with his players to drag on this summer.

The U’s are in negotiations with a number of their out-of-contract squad members, with several of them hoping to land new deals.

It has already been confirmed that striker Clinton Morrison will leave the club.

But the likes of Dominic Vose, Ryan Dickson and David Wright are all in negotiations to secure fresh contracts at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Dunne said: “I’ve spoken to the ones who are out of contract.

“Some have said “yes” and some have said “no” and we’re in negotiations.

“Some have said they want to think about it and I fully understand that.

“I didn’t expect anything to be tied up straight away - these negotiations will go until the third Saturday in May and then I’m moving on.

“It’ll be a lot quicker than it was last year and there’s plenty of players out there this year, so I’m not messing around.”

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including a three-page preview of their game at Walsall tomorrow, see Friday's Daily Gazette.