Colchester United manager Tony Humes says he is hoping that they do not have to rely on as many loanees next season.

The U’s brought in more than a dozen temporary signings in the 2014-15 campaign, with the likes of Bongani Khumalo, Jacob Murphy and Elliott Hewitt all proving useful loan additions.

Humes said: “I hope that we can get a strong enough squad not to have to rely on loans next season.

“We had to do that a lot last season, for one reason or another.

“We already have a decent squad with the young players.

“But if we add four, five or six players it means that we don’t have to rely as much on loan signings.

“Jacob (Murphy) is a good example of an impact player who did well for us on loan, scoring four or five goals in ten or 11 games.

“You have to look at players like that who are going to assist you – but not to the detriment of what we’re bringing through ourselves.”

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