Colchester United defender David Greene has been offered a free transfer - but U's boss Steve Whitton insists there could still be a future for the player at Layer Road.

Whitton said on Friday: "We've gone as far as we can go on his new contract terms so we are giving David a free now to give him a chance to get fixed up with another club before transfer deadline day in four weeks.

"He will be a free agent at the end of the season anyway, but if another club is prepared to take a chance on him now it will save us quite a bit on his wages.

"Personally, I hope David changes his mind and opens up more talks with us because if he's fit and we want a centre-half I would have no hesitation in playing him again."

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, currently sidelined with a knee ligament injury, has made almost 200 U's first team appearances since his £30,000 transfer from Luton four years ago.

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