Colchester United head coach John McGreal insists adding experienced players to his squad is not one of his top priorities, this summer.

The U’s are hoping that their seasoned campaigners like Chris Porter, George Elokobi and Richard Brindley will agree the new contracts offered to them and stay at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, next season.

But they have released Lloyd Doyley and Matt Briggs and Owen Garvan departed Colchester last month, with the trio boasting more than 900 career appearances between them.

Nevertheless, boss McGreal feels he already has plenty of professionals within his ranks, in addition to younger players who now have a season of League Two football under their belts.

McGreal said: “I think we have enough experience within the squad.

“We’ve got Luke Prosser and Doug Loft coming back and we’ve also offered Chris Porter a contract, so we’re hoping that he’ll stay as well.

“He gives us that extra bit of experience as does George Elokobi, who we’re also hoping will stay.

“I think we’ve got a good bit of experience in there but we’ve also got some really good young players.

“If you look at the likes of Tom Lapslie, Frankie Kent and Drey Wright, they’ve all played a number of games.

“Tom especially has had a great season under his belt, where he’s played a good 40 games, so we’ll be looking now for him to start leading.

“Frankie came into some great form before his injury and at the time, he was probably the best courted centre-half in the three divisions because he got that award.

“He then got an injury that finished the season for him.

“The players coming back will be like new players but the young boys have now had a good look at his division.”

McGreal has revealed he is hoping to strengthen his left-sided options, this summer.

Brennan Dickenson’s long-term knee injury and Briggs’ departure has left Colchester depleted, in that area of the pitch.

“The left-sided role is an area that we’re probably looking at to get that balance,” added McGreal.

“I felt that worked pretty well throughout the season whether it was Lewis (Kinsella) or Dicko from the beginning right the way through until the end.

“That’s definitely one area we’ll be looking at.”