COLCHESTER United are hopeful that Tom Eastman will sign his new contract in the coming days.

And fellow out-of-contract players Jamie Harney and Femi Akinwande are also set to commit themselves to the U’s and sign new deals.

Colchester have been waiting for answers from the trio since the end of last season, when they were offered the chance to remain at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Eastman, who is Colchester’s longest-serving player and has made more than 200 league and cup appearances for his home-town club, has the opportunity to sign a pre-contract deal with any club, due to being over the age of 24.

The 24-year-old centre-back is facing a race against time to be fit for next season after undergoing a foot operation.

Eastman is set to be out for around two months after having surgery on the injury but the U's are optimistic that the defender will put pen to paper.

U's director of football Tony Humes told the Daily Gazette: “We’re still talking to Tom at the moment and we’re hopeful that we can agree something soon.

“Tom is out of contract this summer and he has a right to exercise his options and he’s also had his injury, so he’s not been fit.

“It’s a case of everyone weighing up their best options.

“But I’m hoping that over the next week or so, we can come to some sort of agreement.”

Harney and Akinwande are expected to sign their new contracts today.

Harney has made five senior appearances for Colchester since joining them from West Ham United in November 2014 while Akinwande has featured for the first team twice after arriving from Maldon and Tiptree, last November.

Humes added: “They still have to prove themselves at senior level but the opportunities will be there for them to push on.

“They’ve been integrated into the first-team squad last season and it’s up to them to force their way in.”

Meanwhile, Colchester have completed the signing of teenage defender Dexter Peter on a one-year deal.

The former Millwall centre-back impressed for the U’s under-21s during a trial period at the end of last season.

Peter has now joined them on a permanent basis and will be eligible to play for both Colchester’s senior and under-21 squads, next season.