Kem Izzet expects to put pen to paper on a new contract before the end of the month.

The tenacious midfielder celebrates a decade at Colchester United with a well-deserved testimonial match on Saturday.

U’s stars past and present will return to the club to celebrate Izzet’s ten years of loyal service.

And Izzet said he is set to sign a new deal to stay at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, in the near future.

He said: “There’s no real rush and everyone knows that me signing a new contract is just a matter of time really.

“It’s a case of trying to get the best deal for both myself and the club.

“I don’t expect there to be any problems and I think it’ll be signed in the next week to ten days.”

Izzet’s testimonial will see three of the U’s promotion-winning teams from the last 20 years return to the club.

A “Boys of 92” team will take on the “Men of 98” (kick-off 1pm), followed by a game between Phil Parkinson’s XI and the current U’s side (2pm kick-off).

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for juniors up to 16 and over-65s.

Admission is £2 for children up to the age of eight.

Football fans attending the testimonial can benefit from free travel.

Talisman Coaches have made their London Routemaster bus available free of charge for the event.

The bus will leave Colchester Bus Station at 11.30am and will also make the return journey after the testimonial, leaving the stadium at 4pm.

Passengers using the service are asked to make a £2 donation to Kem Izzet’s testimonial fund.