Colchester United have revealed there could still be a future at the club for recently-retired former captain Richard Wilkins.

The popular 34-year-old U's skipper was forced to hang up his boots as a player last month after failing to shrug off a recurring neck injury.

This Is Essex at Easter

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The team at This Is Essex would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Easter. Club secretary Marie Partner said: "We hope we can offer Richard a future at Layer Road because he has been such a great ambassador for the club over the years. Unfortunately there is not an obvious position available for Richard to slot into.

"But his situation will be discussed at the monthly board meeting tonight and it is hoped something can be worked out."

She added: "Richard's future with Colchester United will depend on a lot of things. He has already shown a great interest in the commercial and public relations side of the club.

"Those two aspects, plus a role with the reserves, coaching and the U's In The Community project will be tossed around by the directors at the meeting tonight. In fact community officer Steve Bradshaw has already shown a great interest.

"The only definite so far is that the club has awarded Richard a benefit match, hopefully against a Premiership club, on either August 1 or 2."

U's boss Steve Whitton echoed her words. He said: "If a suitable position can be found for Richard I would love to keep him at the club."

Wilkins, who made more than 300 League and cup appearances for the U's during his two spells at Layer Road between 1985 and this year, said: "I'd love to stay at the club in some capacity. But it would have to be right for the club, me and my family.

"It's already been a wrench to hang up my boots - it would be heartbreaking if I had to sever my links altogether. But I don't want the club to give me a job just because I'm Richard Wilkins. I want to earn my keep and be interested in whatever I do."

Meanwhile, U's central defender David Greene, who has been sidelined by a knee injury since the beginning of February, resumed full training on Wednesday.

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