Southend Loanee Vernon Set For Free Transfer?

Scott Vernon`s Colchester United career could be over at the end of the season after he confirmed that he has not been offered a new contract with the Essex side.

The former Blackpool striker is in his second spell at Colchester, although currently loaned to recently relegated regional rivals Southend, but has also been out at Gillingham and Northampton within the past year for fitness and first-team football.

Despite finding opportunities hard to come by since Geraint Williams` tenure as boss, Vernon began the current campaign promisingly under now Norwich boss Paul Lambert and scored a series of impressive strikes during pre-season, including against Aston Villa.

He then netted competitively against Norwich, Gillingham and MK Dons before Aidy Boothroyd`s arrival.

The 26-year-old player confirmed last week: "Nothing's been said. I've not spoken to the manager since I joined here (Southend). Whether I will be speaking to him in the near future remains to be seen."

Vernon first became a popular figure with the U`s under Phil Parkinson in 2006 as a rangy youngster, previously famed for scoring the F.A. Third Round winner for Oldham against Manchester City.

He was secured on loan and delivered a crucial strike in an away victory over Bournemouth to help Colchester`s ultimately successful promotion cause in 2005-6.

After consistent spoliation Vernon finally returned full-time on transfer deadline day in January 2008, later electing to fight for his place in the team under Lambert despite being offered the chance of a switch to Carlisle as part of Ben Williams` transfer in the opposite direction last summer.



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