TOM Eastman has been offered a “fair deal” to stay at Colchester United, according to director of football Tony Humes.

The U’s central defender, whose is out of contract this summer, is currently mulling over fresh terms having been given the chance to stay at the Weston Homes Community Stadium for next season.

Eastman, who is Colchester’s longest-serving player, is one of a number of current squad members who have been offered new deals at the club.

The former Ipswich Town youngster, who 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.

Humes told the Daily Gazette: “We’re still in discussions with Tom and the situation is on-going.

“We’ve offered Tom what we feel is a fair deal but he is out of contract and he is over 24.

“He has the opportunity to exercise his options and the right to see what else is out there.

“Of the players offered contracts, nobody has turned them down.”

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

The Colchester-born defender is set to be out for around two months after having surgery on the injury which he suffered in the U’s penultimate game of the season at Barnsley, last month.

After undergoing X-rays on the injury, it was established that he had fractured a bone in his foot, forcing him to undergo surgery.

Eastman, who signed for Colchester in May 2011, is now facing a recovery time of several weeks and a battle to be ready in time for the new Football League season, which begins on August 6.

And if he does sign a new deal and remain with the U’s, the centre-half is likely to struggle to report for pre-season duty with the rest of the squad when they return from their summer break, on June 28.

Meanwhile, Joe Edwards will also be allowed to speak to other clubs having not been offered a new contract by Colchester.

The 25-year-old, whose one-year deal with the U’s is set to expire in July, is said to be taking the opportunity to “see what else is out there” following the U’s relegation.

Humes added: “Joe is in a similar situation to Tom, in that he is over the age of 24.

“Therefore in this situation, has the chance to exercise his options and see what else is available and what’s out there.”

Youngster Jack Curtis has agreed a one-year deal to stay at Colchester.

The midfielder made his senior debut this season when he came on as a substitute in the U's FA Cup win at Wealdstone.