DANNY Hollands could be in line to replace Mark Yeates and Kevin McLeod at Colchester United.

The 22-year-old AFC Bournemouth midfielder is currently out of contract at the Dean Court Fitness First Stadium.

And sources within the Gazette's sister paper, the Southern Daily Echo, who are in daily contact with the Cherries' squad, are claiming that Colchester United have already offered the player terms.

U's boss Geraint Williams told the Gazette: "That's not true."

But he did not deny or confirm his interest in the acting Bournemouth captain.

He said: "We are interested in any good player who becomes available.

"We are actively looking at all areas of our squad with a view to strengthening it wherever possible.

"But we never declare our interest in a player until a deal has been signed and sealed so as not to alert other clubs with bigger budgets than ours of his availablity."

The Cherries Player-of-the-Year, who originally hails from Middlesex and began his career as a Chelsea trainee, is said to be pondering a move to Essex after the U's entered the race for his signature.

Hollands had initially agreed to join a gang of six Cherries out of contract players in putting pen to paper on new deals to make it right after the team just failed to avoid relegation to Coca-Cola League Two at the end of last season.

For more, see today's Gazette.