Keeper Mark Cousins extends Colchester United deal

Cousins has acted as Ben Williams' understudy for much of the season

Colchester United goalkeeper Mark Cousins has signed a new two-year deal with the club.

The 24-year-old academy product featured 16 times this season, mostly at the beginning of the campaign.

He broke into the U's first team against Barnsley in August 2007 and has gone on to make 33 appearances.

Manager John Ward will now have three goalkeepers at his disposal, with Ben Williams and Carl Pentney also on the books for next season.

Cousins started the season as Ward's number one but returned to the bench for much of the campaign after Williams returned from an ankle injury.