David Wright believes keeping hold of their best players in the transfer window will boost Colchester United’s League One survival battle.

And the U’s assistant manager has revealed they are still on the lookout for squad reinforcements, despite the transfer deadline having passed.

Colchester have retained prize assets Alex Gilbey and George Moncur, after they had been linked with moves away from the club in the January window.

Gilbey attracted firm interest from Championship side Bristol City which was rebuffed by the U’s, while Moncur was also the subject of transfer rumours.

However, the duo have both stayed put to help Colchester in their bid to avoid relegation – and Wright says that can only be a good thing.

“When you keep your best players, it’s great,” Wright told the Daily Gazette.

“Alex will be here until the end of the season and I know he is doing – and will be doing – his utmost to keep improving.

“I’ve been in this environment for a long time and I’m used to the kind of speculation you get in the transfer window.

“This is the first time that I’ve experienced it on the other side of the fence and any speculation hasn’t got in the way of us or the players.”

Wright says he and manager Kevin Keen are still assessing the possibility of bringing in new signings, with the loan window set to open next week.

Colchester could be left short of central defensive cover, following the head injuries suffered by Alex Wynter and Tom Eastman against Spurs last weekend.

However, U’s number two Wright insists they are looking at potential new signings in all positions – providing they can enhance the squad.

“We’re looking – there’s no major rush because the loan window is open again on Monday,” added the former U’s midfielder.

“If we’re going to bring someone in, we want to bring in players who are going to make a real impact and go into the team.

“It’ll be a situation that we’ll keep looking at over the next few days and into next week and we’ll see if something comes about.

“It’s not just at centre-half – we’re looking at areas all the way through the team and the same thing applies in all positions.

“If we believe someone can come in and make a difference, we’ll try and do something.

“If not, we’ll crack on with the boys we’ve got and we also have young boys coming back soon like Tom Lapslie and Sammie Szmodics.

“The lads have performed well and have been very good since the manager took over.”