COLCHESTER United have received a triple fitness boost ahead of their trip to play Mansfield Town tomorrow.

The U's are set to welcome back three players to their squad for their televised clash with the League Two leaders at the One Call Stadium (kick-off 12.30pm).

Samson Tovide is set to be named in the Colchester first-team squad for the first time since early December, after recovering from an ankle injury.

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Tovide completed 45 minutes for the U's in their BBC Essex Senior Cup Final against Redbridge on Tuesday night and the striker is in contention to feature in the Mansfield clash, which is being televised live on Sky Sports.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley said: "It's a massive plus.

"He's a boy that brings an infectious energy and a brilliant attitude.

"James McFarlane, the academy manager, asked me on day one what I wanted a young Colchester United player to look like.

"It's an open-ended question; it's not an easy question to answer.

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"But when I reflect on that question, I think it's boys that you have to hold back.

"I don't like the ones that you have to push forward.

"I think in life and particularly with young people today, too many of them you have to push forward.

"I don't know if this is because of the world that we live in, maybe the education system is so caring and sharing now, maybe it's Covid, maybe it's social media, I don't know.

"But I find more and more young people you've got to keep trying to push forward and I like the ones you have to try to hold back and Samson is definitely one that you have to hold back.

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"He's got an incredible personality, a larger than life character, I think he brings a determination, a fight and a real positive energy that I think is going to be crucial for us, in the final ten games.

"To bring him back into the team gives everyone such a lift.

"He loves football and he's a great kid who's always got a smile on his face and wants to get better.

"I go to bed resting easy that he can be the very best he can be - you can just see it in him."

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Ellis Iandolo is also expected to return for Colchester tomorrow after missing two games with a quad injury, while former Mansfield loanee Riley Harbottle will also be back after recovering from a virus.

Cowley added: “Ellis has trained this week, which is a huge positive.

“Ellis has been a really important player for this team with his experience and game intelligence and knowhow, which I think will be really important for the run in."