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: "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.

Meanwhile, a crowd of more than 6,000 - the U's biggest of the season - is expected to watch Saturday's Layer Road clash with Ian Wright and Burnley.

Whitton said: "It would be great if this kind of crowd turned up for every home match and we created the same atmosphere we've enjoyed all this week.

"Burnley have some great players, a lot of quality in their team, and they have to be one of the favourites to win promotion."

"They are strong all over the pitch, but we are playing well ourselves and with the exception of Millwall we have taken points off all the other top teams this season."

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