COLCHESTER United boss Aidy Boothroyd has put all contract talks on hold until the end of the season.

Stuart Watson

COLCHESTER United boss Aidy Boothroyd has put all contract talks on hold until the end of the season.

Long-serving midfielder Kemi Izzet penned a two-year contract extension this week, but Boothroyd says that all other discussions will take a back seat as the U's push for promotion.

“Last time I spoke about Marc Tierney's contract I turned on Sky Sports and saw that about 18 clubs were linked with him, so I've learned it's probably best to shut up!” said the U's boss.

“At the moment we are just focused on winning the next game.

“If you play properly as a team winning takes care of itself. And as a player if you play well then contracts look after themselves.

“Alternatively, if you don't do what's right and required then things look after themselves also.

“Little things like lateness can be a massive problem; if one person can be late then everybody can be late. I relish it when people are late though because then I can jump on them.”

Asked if leaving contract talks to the last minute could prove costly, Boothroyd added: “It's always a danger, but to be perfectly honest where else would they like to be? I might be a bit arrogant saying that, but that's me.

“We have a forward thinking chairman who puts his money where his mouth is and who is as hungry and ambitious as I am.”