Tom Eastman has agreed a new one-year contract with Colchester.

The Colchester-born defender had been out of contract this summer, after his deal expired at the end of last season.

But he has now penned a new contract that will keep him at the Weston Homes Community Stadium until the summer of 2017.

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

But he has now committed his future to the U’s for a further 12 months.

Eastman is facing a race against time to be fit for next season after undergoing a foot operation.

The former Ipswich Town youngster 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.