Town boss Paul Jewell was unable to announce that any of the out of contract players had signed their deals at this morning’s press conference but confirmed that he had managed to speak to skipper David Norris’s agent.
Jewell had hoped to announce that some of the senior players whose deals are up had signed but says news isn’t too far off: "I’m remaining hopeful on all of them. I spoke to Chuck’s agent yesterday and we had a long conversation and that’s not dead.
"He did say to me a couple of weeks ago to plan without Chuck but we’re trying to revive that and trying to make him an offer which will be acceptable.
"I’d like to give everyone news today but unfortunately I can’t but I don’t think it’ll be long in coming, one way or the other.”
The Blues boss says talks are continuing: "We’ve made Damien Delaney an offer and we’re expecting to speak to Damien and his agent this morning to try and resolve something, the same with Gareth McAuley.
"Brian Murphy and Colin Healy have got offers on the table for a certain amount of time and they’re weighing up their options.”
Meanwhile, Colchester assistant manager Joe Dunne says the U's could look at bringing released Blues striker Kevin Lisbie back to Essex for a third time this summer: "He’s a player we will look at.
"I’m sure he’ll have no shortage of clubs going for him though because he’s scored goals wherever he’s been. He’s one of probably many players we’ll look to.”
Lisbie, 32, has spent 2010/11 on loan at Millwall but won't play again this season because of an ankle injury.