MAGNUS Okuonghae has not yet entered into contracts talks with Colchester United, even though the big defender’s current deal will expire at the end of this season.

MAGNUS Okuonghae has not yet entered into contracts talks with Colchester United, even though the big defender’s current deal will expire at the end of this season.

Okuonghae has had no feedback from the Essex club, although for the moment the 25-year-old is concentrating on his short-term goal of helping the U’s push towards the top six, rather than worrying about his long-term future.

The U’s go into the Christmas period in 11th spot, just four points adrift of the play-off zone following back-to-back wins over Bury and at Hartlepool. They will be gunning for a third straight victory against visiting Stevenage on Boxing Day.

But whereas United’s current position is a healthy one, there are obvious concerns over the future of a number of their most experienced players, who are out of contract next summer. These include Ashley Vincent, John-Joe O’Toole, Ben Williams and Okuonghae.

“I’m not really thinking about my long-term future at the moment,” revealed Okuonghae.

“I’ve not thought about it and I haven’t heard anything from the club, in terms of contracts or anything like that.

“So I will keep playing my football, and when it comes to that conversation, that may happen, I will take it in my stride and deal with it in time.

“Football is a strange game, but I haven’t spoken to anyone at the minute and no one has mentioned it at all. We will see,” added Okuonghae.

Nigerian-born Okuonghae has attracted interest from other clubs, many of them in the Championship, which is hardly surprising because of his eye-catching performances since moving from Essex neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge in the summer of 2009.

He signed a one-year extension to his initial two-year deal, in December of last year, but although we are at that stage of the season again, there as yet have been no repeat talks.

Looking ahead to the visit of Stevenage, on Boxing Day, and beyond into 2012, Okuonghae insists that the U’s have the ability to gate-crash the top six.

“I think you have to look up, rather than just trying to maintain your position in mid-table,” continued Okuonghae.

“It will be very difficult to break into the top eix, but we are capable of doing it.”