David Wright HAS been offered a new contract by Colchester United.

U’s boss Joe Dunne has confirmed that he wants to keep his experienced 34-year-old midfielder, both as a vital member of the team and also as a mentor for the Essex club’s younger players.

Wright played a key role in ensuring that the U’s avoided relegation over the last two seasons.

The ex-Crewe, Wigan, Ipswich and Crystal Palace stalwart, who arrived on a free transfer in January, 2013, has so far chalked up 49 senior appearances for the U’s.

His current 18-month contract expires this summer, but Dunne wants him to sign a new one.

“I would love to keep David,” confirmed Dunne.

“I have spoken to David and I have offered him something.

“It’s a key to our philosophy, and everything we are trying to do. With all the youth around, we need some level-headed experience.

“And within the position he plays, within the team, I think players like David need to be kept.

“He still has a bit to offer the team, and I need to balance up a young changing room with experience, so we will see where we go with that,” added Dunne.

Model professional Wright, who began his career at Crewe, where he graduated from the youth team in 1997, has mainly operated as a defensive midfielder in front of the back four for the U’s.

It was no coincidence that his first game for the Essex club, a day after he signed on January 26, 2013, was a 2-0 home win over Walsall, which ended a miserable run of nine defeats on the bounce.

Meanwhile, Dunne also revealed that deputy keeper Mark Cousins would be offered a new deal, as would winger Dominic Vose, while long-term injury victim Josh Thompson would be assessed at the start of pre-season. All three are out of contract this summer.