Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling will not rush into new contracts with players who are coming to the end of their current deals.
More than a dozen U's players - including captain Kem Izzet, goalkeeper Ben Williams and centre-back Matt Heath - could leave this summer at the expiration of their contracts.
But Cowling is confident he can avoid a mass exodus and plans to start discussions with those nearing the end of their contracts soon.
"We will be talking to a number of players in the next few days," he told the Daily Gazette. "The communication at the club is good and it's an on-going process.
"There are some we need to do now and others where we will wait a bit longer.
"But I'm patient - Colchester United has a lot to offer and there's no need to rush any negotiations. We have a group of good players here."
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