Young Player-of-the-Year Kent is looking forward to fresh challenge in League Two

Defender Frankie Kent admitted hurting as the club suffered relegation last season, sliding through the trapdoor into the bottom tier of the Football League.

However, a disappointing campaign ended on a bright note personally when his achievements were recognised at the club's end-of-season awards.

Now Kent has vowed to learn from his experiences, as the club prepare to begin the new campaign at Hartlepool United on August 6.

They play their last friendly at Southend United on Saturday.

“Being relegated really did hurt a lot," said the 20-year-old.

“From being 15 or 16, and even in my school team, I’ve been a winner.

“I even had success with the under-18 side that won the league and cup, so it’s been a really tough turnaround, not being able to continue that at first-team level.

“From a team point of view, it was a difficult season and very disappointing to concede as many goals as we did.

“We chopped and changed - whether that’s because injuries, suspensions or other things - but it’s not an excuse it’s all about experience.

“I feel like I adapted fairly well, though, and now I want to take it into next season and learn from it.

“We have the players to do that and I’m sure we can improve.”

Kent admitted his end-of-season award was bittersweet, because of the team's struggles.

“I was happy to receive it," he said.

“It came in bad circumstances, because of what happened with our relegation, but I was proud to get the award at the end of what had been a tough season.

“It’s a team game and that’s the most important thing, but it was really good to get an individual award.

“I’m learning with every single game and every game is a new experience for me."

Kent came on as a late substitute in Monday's friendly against Crystal Palace and then started Tuesday's 6-0 under-21 victory at Needham Market.

Meanwhile, Matt Briggs could have to have an operation to cure his hip injury.

The 25-year-old defender has missed the last few pre-season games and a scan has revealed damage that may well require surgery.

"It looks very likely that Matt will have to go under the knife to rectify the problem with his hip," said U's physio Tony Flynn.

"Not only does the cartilage in his hip need repairing, the head of the joint needs reshaping.

"It should be a smooth round ball at the top of the femur but Matt's has become elongated so it doesn't sit and move properly in the hip itself.

"We will obviously know more in due course but the early estimates put a recovery time in months, rather than weeks."

The draw has been made for the group stages for next season's EFL Trophy.

Colchester are in Southern Group G alongside Southampton, Charlton Athletic and Crawley Town.

Each club will play each other once, either home or away.