Colchester have not given up on landing Shrewsbury striker Grant Holt after having an initial bid turned down.

Holt, who has two years to run on his current deal at the Prostar Stadium, scored 28 goals for the Shrews last season on his way to being named League Two player of the year.

Colchester chief executive Steve Bradshaw told the club's official website: "Our first offer was rejected by Shrewsbury, but we are still in negotiations to get him on board.

"He has a good goalscoring record, is a strong forward and also has the kind of work ethic that Paul Lambert requires from his players as we seek a return to the second tier.

"We are very keen to bring him in, but there is obviously a line that we won't cross financially in our aims of becoming a sustainable Championship club both on and off the pitch."