Joe Dunne has told his Colchester United players they risk missing out on pre-season if they report back from their summer break out of shape.

The U’s boss believes his side’s summer preparations are crucial to their hopes of enjoying a productive 2014-15 campaign.

Colchester’s players are due to embark on their four-week individual training programmes at the end of this month.

They will report back for training at Florence Park on June 23 and when they return, Dunne wants no passengers in his squad.

Dunne said: “Getting everyone through that summer period is our top priority.

“It’s so important that we get the summer how I want it and we need every player tested and to do their off-season programme.

“We need the data from that.

“Some of the players didn’t quite get their off-season programmes right last year and didn’t hit the ground running at the start.

“We’ve got no time to be hanging around waiting for anybody.

“Anybody who doesn’t come back fit won’t be a part of my squad for the initial part of pre-season.

“And if you’re playing catch-up, it’s going to be hard."

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