NEW recruits Jamie Cureton, signed from Swindon Town, and former Tottenham midfielder Johnnie Jackson will begin training with their new Colchester United team-mates today.

NEW recruits Jamie Cureton, signed from Swindon Town, and former Tottenham midfielder Johnnie Jackson will begin training with their new Colchester United team-mates today.

Colchester United begin pre-season training looking forward to life as a Championship club, although it has already been a summer of upheaval at Layer Road.

The U's will step up their search for a new manager this week, in the wake of Phil Parkinson's official departure last Thursday, to take on the top job at Hull City.

Meanwhile, Colchester United's Essex derby at Southend has been moved forward to Good Friday, April 6 (noon kick-off), on police advice. The U's home match against Ipswich Town has already been switched to Friday, September 29, so that it can be screened live on Sky Sports TV.