David Wright has revealed his recent spell on the sidelines influenced his decision to leave Colchester United and hang up his boots.

Wright has left the U’s by mutual consent and has brought the curtain down on an impressive playing career spanning 17 years and more than 500 games.

The 34-year-old, who made more than 50 appearances during his time at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, did not start for Colchester this season.

Wright, who coaches Ipswich Town’s under-14 side, has been recently sidelined with a thigh injury.

And he says his recent lay-off prompted him to quit playing - and throw his efforts into his blossoming coaching career.

Wright told the Daily Gazette: “During the seven weeks I was out injured, I got to thinking maybe this would be the right time for me to go down the coaching road.

“I always knew that I would be playing more of a supporting role at Colchester this season.

“It didn’t help that I had a bit of a niggle at the start of the season and then I got a serious thigh injury.

“Even if I’d got back fit, would I have got back in the team?

“I feel that I can now get seven months of coaching in, between now and the end of the season.

“I’ve had some really good meetings with Bryan Klug (Ipswich academy director) and he’s been brilliant, like all of the staff at Ipswich.

“I go in every single day and watch experienced managers and coaches do their job, which is invaluable for me.

“I’ve told Tony (Humes) and the chairman (Robbie Cowling) that I have no plans to play anywhere else.

“I haven’t left Colchester with anything else in the pipeline and the plan is to throw myself into my coaching.

“Tony and Richard (Hall) have been brilliant - they’ve said I’ll be welcome back at Colchester whenever I want.”

Wright, who also played for the likes of Ipswich, Wigan Athletic and Crystal Palace during his career, joined Colchester in January 2013.

The utility man played his part in keeping the U’s in League One in each of the last two seasons under former boss, Joe Dunne.

Wright added: “I extremely enjoyed my time at Colchester and it’s a really good club.

“They’ve got some fantastic staff there and it was nice to be part of it.

“Having been part of the dressing room this season too, I would definitely back them to stay up again this season - I think they’ll finish strongly.”