Colchester United are willing to allow their loan quartet to extend their time away from the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Four of the U’s first-team squad have been plying their trade at other Football League clubs, over recent months.

But their respective loan spells have either expired or are due to end soon.

Marcus Bean’s three-month loan spell at Portsmouth, along with Dan Holman’s stint at their League Two rivals Aldershot Town, have now finished.

And striker Jabo Ibehre’s three-month loan at Colchester’s League One rivals Oldham Athletic is officially due to come to an end on Friday.

Defender Josh Thompson has extended his temporary stay at Tranmere Rovers until January 24.

Colchester are in talks with the respective clubs for whom their loanees are currently playing their football.

And boss Tony Humes says he is happy for the quartet to remain out on loan - providing all parties are happy.

Humes said: “We’ve started talks with the other clubs to see what they want to do.

“They’re on-going at the minute but if the players out there and happy and playing, then it can stay that way.”

None of the four Colchester players out on loan at Football League clubs have played for the club under Humes.

Ibehre was a regular under former boss Joe Dunne but stated his intentions to leave the U’s immediately after Humes’ appointment.

And Humes told Bean, Holman and Thompson that they needed to find regular football away from Colchester.

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.