COLCHESTER United first-team coach John McGreal insists he still hopes to keep Tom Eastman at the club – despite the signing of fellow centre-back Luke Prosser.

Eastman is out of contract this summer and is yet to sign the new deal offered to him by the U’s at the end of last season.

The Colchester-born defender, who is currently the club’s longest-serving player, is yet to agree terms along with young duo Jamie Harney and Femi Akinwande.

The arrival of experienced Prosser has boosted the U’s options at centre-half, with George Elokobi, Frankie Kent, Alex Wynter and youngster Cameron James also set to battle it out for a place at the heart of their defence.

However, McGreal stressed there is still time for Eastman and their other out-of-contract players to sign the deals offered to them by Colchester ahead of them reporting for pre-season duty, next Tuesday.

McGreal told the Daily Gazette: “We’ve offered them contracts and we don’t return for pre-season until next Tuesday, so a lot of things can happen in that time and there’s still plenty of time for them to come back.

“A lot of players are still on holiday at the moment.”

Colchester have lost several key players this summer, with the likes of Alex Gilbey, George Moncur, Gavin Massey and Joe Edwards all leaving the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

But after adding Prosser to his squad earlier this week, McGreal says the U’s are now on the hunt for further additions ahead of the big kick-off against Hartlepool United on August 6.

“We’re always looking to strengthen,” added McGreal.

Robbie Cowling has given Steve Ball and me the initiative to strengthen areas around the pitch and that’s what we’re trying to do.

“We’ve also lost a couple of players this week in Alex Gilbey and George Moncur but we’re looking to get a couple of others in and that’s on-going.

“Both George and Alex were terrific for the club.

“What George has done for the club over the past couple of seasons has been great, as is what the club has done for him.

“It’s a fantastic move for George to go and play in the Championship and we wish him all the best.

“Credit to Alex too for what he’s done for the club and for his performances on the pitch and it’s a great advert for the academy.”