COLCHESTER United’s ever-present, Brian Wilson, intends to sign a new contract next week.

Right-back Wilson is one of a big group of U’s players who are out of contract this summer, but the 28-year-old is set to put pen to paper following today’s final game of the season, at play-off chasing Notts County.

Wilson is the only U’s player to have started every game, in league and cup, and he completes a full-house at Meadow Lane. His commitment to stay at the Essex club is therefore good news for manager John Ward, and U’s supporters alike.

“I’m keen to sign again,” confirmed Wilson.

“I’m looking to get it all sorted, once the Notts County game is done and dusted.

“I’m hoping to sit down with the gaffer next week, to look to finalise a deal. It’s always good to get things sorted out before we all leave for our summer break.

“So Colchester fans should hopefully see me in the blue-and-white again next season.

“Hopefully, most of the squad will stay together. There are quite a few players whose contracts are up, but I hope most of them will put pen to paper, and maybe we might even strengthen the squad a little bit.

“We fully believe what the gaffer has said, about the club moving in the right direction and continuing to progress.

“I don’t know about the other lads, but I don’t see any reason why other players won’t sign, because it’s a brilliant club,” added Wilson.

Ian Henderson was on course for starting every match this season, until he was given a mini-rest for the trip to Bury last month. The ex-Norwich City attacker came on as a 61st minute substitute in that 4-1 defeat.

But Wilson will make it 50 starts out of 50 games, at sixth-placed Notts County.

“I’ve never managed to start every game in a season before,” explained Wilson.

“I think I missed only a couple of games while I was at Cheltenham in the 2005-06 season, but for two or three years I had missed a good chunk of football due to injuries.

“That’s why I’m so overwhelmed to have completed a full season, if of course I’m selected at Notts County.”

Despite his ever-present record, ex-Stoke, Cheltenham and Bristol City defender Wilson has not been entirely happy with his form this season.

“I haven’t created as many assists as last year, but I was pleased to contribute to a goal last Saturday,” admitted Wilson, who delivered the cross for Henderson to head home the opener in a 4-2 win over Tranmere.

Wilson continued: “I think I’ve had a few ups and down this season. I kind of went missing in some of the games, but I’ve managed to get it back.

“Yet it’s pleasing to complete a full season, and it’s something to build on for next season.”

Referring to the U’s season as a whole, Wilson said: “It’s been disappointing, in that we have drawn too many games, but we’ve played some very good, attractive football and we’ve only lost 12 games.

“I think when I got promoted with Bristol City, we won a lot more games, but we lost a similar amount. So we are not far off where we want to be.”

Joint leading scorer Steven Gillespie (sore hamstring), midfielders Kem Izzet and Martin Rowlands, and striker Kayode Odejayi all miss today’s game.