Tim Waddington has reiterated that Colchester United have no intention of selling any of their best players this summer.

The U’s last week rebuffed an undisclosed offer from League One rivals Charlton Athletic for defender Magnus Okuonghae.

Executive chairman Robbie Cowling has already stressed that it would take an “extremely large offer” to even tempt the U’s to consider parting with Okuonghae or any other of their prize assets.

General manager Waddington backed up that stance, stating: “Magnus is a big part of John’s plans for the new season.

“He’s a big influence around the club both on and off the pitch and also does a lot of work for us off the field.

“The talk of interest in him is what you get at this time of year and it’s what clubs do.

“I can understand if clubs are looking at our better players, because that’s the way football works.

“But the vast majority of our squad will be back here for pre-season and only David Perkins has left.”

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