COLCHESTER United are ‘very close’ to further adding to their squad for the new League Two season.

The U’s are busy trying to reinforce their squad for the 2021-22 campaign, having already added experienced midfielder Cole Skuse to their ranks last month.

Colchester are looking to rebuild their squad following the departure of a host of senior players, including skipper Harry Pell, Callum Harriott, Tom Lapslie and Ben Stevenson.

They have been strongly linked with former Ipswich Town captain, Luke Chambers, over recent weeks.

Speaking on the club's newly-launched Col U TV last night, U's chairman Robbie Cowling said they were hopeful of sealing the capture of two new players today.

And U’s Director of Performance Jon De Souza says they are now closing in on new faces, as they prepare for their first full season under new head coach, Hayden Mullins.

De Souza said: “We’re very close to making signings but what you tend to find when you’re trying to sign good players which we believe we are and we’re competing against clubs from the league above to sign, it’s not as quick and easy as it would be if you were trying to sign players who aren't quite as attractive.

“We’re trying to sign players that other clubs are trying to sign but we are close and I hope that within the next week to ten days, we’ll have a few more announcements to make about signings.

“I hope those signings will show the direction that the club is going in.”

Colchester are looking for big improvements this season, having struggled towards the foot of the table in the final few months of the last campaign.

The U’s finished 20th and avoided the dreaded drop, after Mullins steered them to three wins, three draws and two defeats in his eight games in interim charge alongside advisor, Paul Tisdale.

“I’m quite excited by next season, to be honest with you,” added De Souza.

“I think if we can learn the lessons from last year, improve where we need to improve and recruit appropriately at first-team level, I hope we can certainly have a more successful season than last year.”

Colchester's players are due to return for pre-season training at the start of next month.

Their first pre-season friendly will be at Pitching In Isthmian League outfit Billericay Town on Tuesday, July 13.

The new League Two campaign begins on Saturday, August 7.