Colchester United assistant manager Richard Hall says landing an experienced centre-half is one of their main priorities, ahead of the new League One season.

U's number two Hall says they are on the lookout for a leader to play at the heart of their defence.

Former loanee Bongani Khumalo has been released by Spurs but is not expected to return to the U’s, while long-serving ex-skipper Magnus Okuonghae was released last month.

Colchester are hoping Frankie Kent will report for pre-season training with the rest of the squad, following his long-term knee injury.

But Hall says they want to sign at least one more centre-back, to add to competition for places at the back.

“We’ll be looking to bring in an experienced centre-half,” said Southampton and West Ham centre-back Hall.

“The whole back four needs a leader and I think at times last year, we lacked that.

“When you look at our back four that finished the season, three of them were loan signings and that’s not ideal.

“Tom (Eastman) had a very good season for us last season but he’s still a young centre-half.”

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