Alex Gilbey will not be at Colchester United next season, a fact that manager Kevin Keen has known for several weeks.

Classy midfielder Gilbey is not thinking about the future, beyond this season, as he concentrates on trying to keep his beloved U’s in League One.

But his contract expires this summer, and Keen predicted during yesterday’s press conference that he would expect the 21-year-old to sign for a big club this summer.

Gilbey has rattled up 105 league appearances for the U’s, since graduating from the Academy.

He seemed on the brink of signing for a Championship club during the January transfer window, but instead stayed with the U’s to see out his contract.

And he has responded with some cracking individual displays, including three goals in the last four games.

But he WILL be playing for a new club next term.

“I think Alex’s form has been excellent ever since I’ve been here, not just the last few games,” explained Keen.

“Alex for me has been exemplary, in the fact that he is out of contract at the end of the season.

“He’s going to move to a good club, in my opinion – I don’t know where it will be, but I’m sure it will be a good club.

“I just think his attitude and the way he has gone about things in playing for the club has been really, really good.

“And I hope it continues, because if he continues playing like that with the other midfielders, then we have a chance.

“Alex has played over 100 games, which is where his maturity and experience comes from.

“It’s one of my pet hates that there are some under-21 players, in top Premier League Academies, who play just two games in the Europa League or whatever, but Alex is a lad who has played over 100 games in proper competitive football.

“He’s a credit to the club and a credit to the Academy,” added Keen.

The U’s entertain Millwall this afternoon.