Colchester United manager, Joe Dunne, is on the brink of recruiting not one, not two, but three new players!

The U’s boss could well bolster his squad today, at the start of a new month when players’ current deals have expired.

Certainly, the League One club look on course to unveil a new right-back, while there is also a possibility of a new left-back and also a fresh keeper being added to the squad this week.

“We are very close to signing two new players,” revealed Dunne, with reference to a couple of full-back targets.

“I’m hoping they will be unveiled early this week, and there could also be a new keeper coming in.

“It looks like I am going to be in the fortunate position of being able to get the players that I need, within our budget.”

Dunne’s main priorities this summer have been signing both a right-back and left-back, to replace the departed Brian Wilson and Ryan Dickson.

Club skipper Wilson had been the U’s first choice right-back for four seasons, until his switch to League One rivals Oldham on a two-year deal earlier this month.

Ex-Southampton left-back Dickson, meanwhile, had also played a major part in the U’s successful escape from relegation last season, although he did lose his place to loanees Luke Garbutt and Alex Wynter during the course of the campaign.

Dickson signed for Crawley earlier in the summer, but now Dunne is close to announcing new replacements for both Wilson and Dickson.

The Dubliner is also hoping to snap up a new keeper within the next few days, following the exit of back-up keeper Mark Cousins to Dagenham & Redbridge last week. That should give Sam Walker some much-needed competition.

Elsewhere, however, Dunne is fairly comfortable with the make-up of his squad. In fact, despite veteran striker Clinton Morrison being released at the end of last season, it could be that the U’s decide against recruiting another front-man.

“We have plenty of attacking options at the club,” insisted Dunne.

Certainly, Morrison was only used sparingly in the starting line-up during his final season, and was rarely employed as an out-and-out target man.

Jabo Ibehre was usually preferred in that role, while Freddie Sears finished as the club’s leading scorer with 12 goals.

Fellow front-runner Macauley Bonne should also have a bigger part to play this term, having shot to fame with three goals in his first six appearances last autumn, in the games against Peterborough, Sheffield United and MK Dons.

Meanwhile, Dunne has confirmed that both centre-half Josh Thompson and midfielder David Wright have been offered new deals.

Thompson, who only made one brief appearance last season, due to a long-term ankle injury which required two operations, is set to sign a new contract.

Wright, meanwhile, has been offered improved terms.

“I have spoken to both parties, and all the players will be training this week,” concluded Dunne.