Joe Dunne has already begun planning for next season, after keeping Colchester United in League One.

The U’s boss has a list of targets he would like to bring to the club this summer, following the completion of the 2012-13 campaign.

He will also assess his current squad, which has been left somewhat depleted following the return of Colchester’s loanees to their respective parent clubs.

Sam Walker, Billy Clifford, Bradley Garmston, George Porter and Michael Smith are all loan players who finished the season with the U’s.

And along with considering that situation, boss Dunne will need to address the status of the likes of Jabo Ibehre and Matt Heath, who are out of contract this summer.

Dunne said: “Now we’re looking forward to next season and our planning starts straight away.

“I’ll look at the targets I want to bring in and the fact that we’ve stayed in the league helps.

“Our club is going in the right direction.

“I want the club to be strong and set the base for next season, where we can kick on with the team."

Colchester hold their end of season dinner tonight at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, where their player of the year will be announced.

See Tuesday's Gazette for more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news.