Tony Humes says he has held talks with Craig Eastmond following the midfielder’s recent omission from the Colchester United squad.

The former Arsenal youngster has not featured for the U’s since their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Gillingham, on Boxing Day.

Eastmond, 24, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was left out of Colchester’s squads for their matches against Walsall and Peterborough United.

And U’s boss Humes has revealed he spoke to Eastmond prior to last weekend’s game against Walsall about his situation.

Humes said: “I’ve spoken to Craig about it and we’ve had a discussion.

“I was up front with him and told him he wasn’t going to be involved in the 18 (against Peterborough).

“He’s a Colchester United player and we’ll pick the 18 accordingly.

“We’re a club that wants to develop our own players and the likes of Dion Sembie-Ferris and Tom Lapslie are in the squad because they deserve it.”

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, see Wednesday's Daily Gazette.