Tom Bender, who has signed a new one-year deal with Colchester United

THE Colchester United duo of Tom Bender and Carl Pentney have both penned new one-year deals at the Essex club.

Defender Bender, who had a loan spell at League Two club Accrington Stanley last season, interrupted by a serious head injury, is a product of the U’s Academy.

The 19-year-old has so far made a couple of first team appearances for the U’s, one in the league and the other in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Keeper Pentney, meanwhile, has yet to make a senior appearance for the U’s, although the ex-Leicester custodian did make nine appearances on loan at Hayes & Yeading in the Blue Square Premier last season.

With No. 1 choice Ben Williams still stalling on signing a new deal, it could be that Pentney and Mark Cousins are left to contest the U’s goalkeeping jersey for the new season.