Alex Wynter insists he is happy to commit his future to Colchester United – despite Kevin Keen’s shock departure.

Wynter has penned a new two-year deal with the U’s and extended his stay at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, prior to Keen’s exit as manager on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old said he is grateful to Keen for offering him the new contract in the first place and admits it was a surprise to see him leave on Tuesday.

However, Wynter says he is looking forward to a bright future with Colchester, regardless of Keen’s departure.

Wynter told the Daily Gazette: “The contract was all signed before the manager went but it doesn’t change anything for me.

“I’d been talking about the new contact before the Spurs game and that threw things up in the air a bit and put things on the back burner but I’m glad I’ve now got it signed.

“I’m thankful to the previous manager for offering me the contract and I’ve enjoyed playing under him and respect his decision.

“It was a real shock to the system to see him go – I didn’t expect it at all.

“I don’t know the ins and outs of what has happened but I’m sure both the manager and the chairman had their reasons.”

Wynter will be playing for Colchester in League Two next season, after their relegation was confirmed last weekend.

But the former Crystal Palace youngster insists he is relishing the prospect of helping the U’s challenge in another division, next season.

He said: “Every player wants to play at the highest level they possibly can.

“But I didn’t have any qualms dropping from League One into League Two with Colchester and it’s still a good standard of football, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“We’re all gutted that we’ve been relegated and it’s obviously not what anyone wanted.

“But over the next few months and pre-season we have a chance to get things right and get our house in order, ready for the new season.”

Wynter made a welcome return from injury against Burton Albion last weekend when he appeared as a first-half substitute in their 3-0 defeat.

It was his first competitive appearance for nearly three months, having been sidelined following a serious head injury suffered in the U’s FA Cup defeat at the hands of Spurs, last January.

Wynter added: “It was frustrating to be out as long as I was after the Spurs game and it was more complicated than I first thought.

“Even to be back on the training ground and in the changing room has been great after being out for so long.

“When the old gaffer (Kevin Keen) came in I felt I was doing alright at centre-back – I’d just come back from injury and had been finding some good form and then the unfortunate thing happened against Spurs, so I’m glad to be back.”