Colchester United manager John Ward appears resigned to the fact that out-of-contract midfielder David Prutton will sign for another club.

COLCHESTER United manager John Ward appears resigned to the fact that out-of-contract midfielder David Prutton will sign for another club.

The 28-year-old joined the U’s on a short-term contract in February and was offered an extension by Aidy Boothroyd at the end of the campaign.

Ward was quick to say that offer remained on the table when he took over from Boothroyd last month, but it now appears as though Prutton will sign elsewhere.

The U’s boss said: “It looks like he may be going elsewhere at this moment in time, and if that turns out to be the case, we will consider the other options that we’re looking at.

“I would like to re-sign him and will be speaking again to him, but it looks he could move somewhere else.”

Brighton manager Gus Poyet has already signalled his interest in the former Southampton and Leeds man.

Meanwhile, Ward – who has been linked with out-of-c-ontract defender Richard Keogh – says progress is being made in terms of bringing new faces to the club.

He said: “Preparations are going just fine so far.

“There is lots going on behind the scenes. We have made good progress in talking to players and to clubs about whose players we are interested in.

“At this stage, I am not prepared to name names, but we have started talks with a number of players regarding the possibility of joining us.”