Colchester offer Coker new deal

Colchester United manager John Ward has said he will offer a new contract to defender Ben Coker, as he plans for next season.

The 22-year-old was playing non-league football for Bury Town only two years ago, but has made 23 appearances for the U's in League One this season, which in turn seems to have impressed his boss. "I haven't offered him a contract but I've said I will do," Ward said. Ward also revealed he is planning on talking to other members of his squad over new deals, as up to 12 of his players are out of contract at the end of the season, and with wage cuts likely he concedes that many of them may look to move on. He added: "I've spoken to a number of players and now the onus is very much on them to come back to me, but I've had a number of conversations with players and we'll see where we go over the next two or three weeks."