David Greene has hinted he could still be a Colchester United player next season.

Greene, handed a free transfer by the U's earlier this year after failing to agree a new contract, is planning fresh talks with manager Steve Whitton this week.

Whitton admitted on Monday, when announcing his retained list and the departure of striker Jamie Moralee and Nigerian international defender Efe Sodje, that his door was still open to Greene if he wants to stay at the club.

A free agent under the Bosman ruling, the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international central defender said: "I will be seeing the manager about my future, but at this time I am still available on a free.

"My dispute with the club has never been about money. I have always wanted to play at a higher level.

"The simple fact is I want to keep my options open and without wishing to make it sound as though signing for Colchester United is a last resort that is still very much the case. I want to give myself every chance of playing higher up the League.

"No other club has approached me yet and if they don't I will definitely re-sign for Colchester."

Greene insisted: "My future is too important to play around. I will tell the manager if another club from a higher division has not come in for me by the time the pre-season programme gets under way I will sign for the U's again.

"I will not sign for any other Second Division club unless they are a bigger club with bigger ambitons."

A key member of the U's 1998 promotion-winning squad and a virtual ever present since former U's boss Steve Wignall snapped him up for £30,000 from Luton Town four years ago, Greene has been sidelined by injury since limping out of the home defeat by Bury three months ago.

Greene said he will be spending the summer strengthening his injured leg and getting fully fit again after seriously damaging ligaments.

Meanwhile, U's boss Whitton was running his eye over the latest batch of triallists in a specially arranged match.

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