U’s manager Paul Lambert will make no guarantees over Chris Coyne’s Colchester United future.

The tough-tackling defender needs to be a first-choice for the U’s next season, with the World Cup just 12 months away.

Coyne has helped Australia book their place at next year’s showpiece tournament in South Africa.

The 30-year-old is hoping to play a part in the Socceroos’ final qualifier against Japan in Melbourne on Wednesday.

However, Colchester boss Lambert has warned he cannot promise Coyne a place in his side when he returns to England. And he stressed the same principle applies to the rest of his U’s squad.

Lambert said: “I don’t want to stop anyone from going to play in a World Cup.

“To go to a World Cup is the pinnacle of any player’s career.

“But he has to play and we can’t guarantee that – just like we can’t guarantee that to anyone.

“This season will be an unbelievable one for him, because it’s a World Cup year.

“If he doesn’t play here, I’m pretty sure the manager there (Pim Verbeek) will say, ‘hang on a minute, what’s going on there?’.

“He has done really, really fine for me whenever he has played and he’s been playing well at the minute for them.”

Coyne has been quoted as saying he is ready to leave Colchester this summer – despite having two years left on his contract.

The former Luton Town man - who joined Colchester for £350,000 in January 2008 - has hinted at a return to Australia.

He was in and out of the U’s side last season, mainly due to injuries and international commitments.

Lambert has spoken to Coyne’s agent about the player’s comments in the Australian press.

“I know myself that when you say something to the press, you wonder what is going to appear,” said the U’s boss.

“I used to have it at Celtic and Coyney might have had that.

“He may also have said in the interview that he loves Colchester and them not having put it in.”

Meanwhile, Colchester chief executive Steve Bradshaw added the U’s will try to find a solution that suits both Coyne and the U’s.

He said: “We don’t want to lose such an experienced international but we will do what is best for him and for the club.”