COLCHESTER United assistant manager Steve Ball insists it is crucial they "hold their nerve" in their ongoing hunt for new signings.

The U’s are on the lookout for new players to boost their squad for the upcoming League Two campaign and have been in discussions with a number of potential signings.

Former Norwich City and Ipswich Town youngster Ben Wyatt is so far their only new addition, after he penned a one-year deal with Colchester following his move from non-league outfit Maldon and Tiptree.

However, Ball has stressed there will be fresh faces arriving at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, in the coming days and weeks ahead of the big kick-off on August 6.

Ball told the Daily Gazette: “We’re working hard on our targets and it’s vital that we hold our nerve, in terms of the players we’re looking to bring in.

“We’d much rather get the right man in than go out and get anyone in, just to make the numbers up.

“We’ve targeted some good players and we certainly won’t make panic signings.

“I understand that the fans want to see some new signings and that will happen – there’s no doubt about that whatsoever.

“But it’s a case of us getting the right players in and we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that we already have some very good players at this football club.

“We’re still really positive about things and if we can get a couple of the lads in that we’ve been looking at then great but if it takes a little bit more time, then that’s fine.”

Colchester will step up their search for a new wide forward, following Gavin Massey’s departure to League Two rivals Leyton Orient earlier this month.

“It was always one area that we were looking at strengthening and we’ve had things that we’ve been looking at so now that Gavin has left, we can act,” said Ball.

“We were aware that there was interest in Gavin.

“Every player in football has a price and the offer that we had for him was a good one, so I think it was a good deal for both parties.

“When Gavin came to us from Watford, he wasn’t an established player but I’m sure that he’d be the first to say that we put him on the football map.

“I’m sure he would thank us for helping him become an established player and we thank him for his contribution over the last few years and wish Gavin all the best.”