Defensive duo Matt Briggs and Lloyd Doyley have both been released by Colchester United, after the club announced their retained list.

The pair were due to be out of contract at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this summer and the U's have decided against offering them new deals, for the 2017-18 campaign.

Briggs, who joined Colchester on a free transfer two years ago after a loan spell at the Community Stadium, finished the season in John McGreal's starting line-up at left wing-back, following Brennan Dickenson's injury.

But his campaign was disrupted by the hip surgery he underwent last summer, which kept him out for the first half of the season.

Briggs made 65 league and cup appearances for Colchester, in total.

Lloyd Doyley is also looking for another club, after being released by the U's.

The former Watford defender joined Colchester on a free transfer last October but only managed three appearances for the club, after suffering a calf injury in the 2-1 against Barnet in February.

All of Colchester's other out of contract players have been offered options to extend their stay at the club.

Meanwhile, five of Colchester's under-23 squad have also been released.

Dexter Peter, Femi Akinwande, Ben Wyatt, Brendan Ocran and Rhys Williams are now all looking for new clubs.