Colchester United boss Tony Humes insists the departure of fitness guru David Carolan will not affect the club’s preparations for next season.

The U’s are on the hunt for a new sports scientist following Carolan’s decision to quit after seven years at the Weston Homes Community Stadium to take up a role at Birmingham City.

Colchester’s players are currently undertaking fitness programmes set by Carolan last month prior to his move to St Andrews and are due to report back for pre-season later this month.

The U’s academy head of sports science Stefano Russo is set to take over from Carolan on a temporary basis, until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Humes said: “We’ll be looking to bring the right person in full-time, in time for the start of the new season.

“The players have their programmes which they undertook with David and that stays the same.

“David was a good servant to the club - he took the club forward, in terms of its sports science programme and we wish him all the best in his new role at Birmingham City.

“There’s always names that you come across in the game but it depends on availability and whether they want to come here.

“We also have to consider who we have here already at the club.

“We have a bit of time to make sure that we bring the right person in for pre-season.

“But if not, we have Stef our academy sports scientist who has the capability of doing it pre-season.”

Humes believes the mental shape of his players will be just as vital as their physical fitness, when they report back to Florence Park later this month.

“You want your players to come back in good shape so you can start work straight away,” added Humes.

“The biggest thing is that the players are mentally fit and strong and that they’re looking forward to working hard to progress.

“It’s important that when the games start, that they’re ready and as long as the players know their responsibilities, they have to adhere to them.

“They have to make sure that they come back in good shape.

“We’ll do our bit but we want to play a quick, high tempo game so the players are going to have to be fit and strong.”

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