Sammie Szmodics could be poised for a loan spell with Braintree Town.

But Colchester United boss Tony Humes will only allow the midfielder to leave if it is in the best interests of his squad.

Humes is facing a predicament with rising stars not getting enough first-team minutes and playing the bulk of their football for the under-21s.

He wants to see them gain experience elsewhere, but does not want to leave himself thin on the ground with various others injured.

“There’s a possibility of Sammie going to Braintree but we have to make sure it’s the right time,” said Humes.

“We are talking to them but we’ve got to make sure we’re OK.

“We’ve got a lot of football coming up and he’s only going to go if it’s right for us and right for Sammie.”

Ideally, Humes would like other players in the same boat - the likes of Macauley Bonne, Tom Lapslie and Jack Curtis - to gain first-team minutes away from the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

However, he has to consider the impact on his squad, with the likes of Gavin Massey, Chris Porter, Alex Wynter, Richard Brindley and Kane Vincent-Young injured.

“It’s a difficult situation,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of players who are part of the first-team squad, but they’re not getting enough minutes at senior level.

“We want them to push on but it’s about getting the balance right.

“It’s about what’s best for them as individuals but what we need as a squad and it’s difficult to let them go out until we’ve got players back from injury.”

For a full preview of Colchester United's game at Doncaster Rovers, see Friday's Daily Gazette.