Tom Eastman is facing a race against time to be fit for next season after undergoing a foot operation – with his Colchester United future still unclear.

The 24-year-old central defender, who is out of contract this summer, is set to be out for around two months after having surgery on the injury which he suffered in the U’s penultimate game of the season at Barnsley, last month.

Eastman is now recovering but is facing a battle to be ready in time for the new Football League season, which begins on August 6.

And if he does sign a new deal and remain with the U’s, the centre-half is facing a struggle to report for pre-season duty with the rest of the squad when they return from their summer break, on June 28.

Eastman injured his foot as he went for an aerial challenge in Colchester’s 2-2 draw at Barnsley.

After undergoing X-rays on the injury, it was established that he had fractured a bone in his foot, forcing him to undergo surgery.

After being advised by the surgeon to have the foot operated on he underwent an operation last week and is now facing a recovery time of several weeks.

Eastman, who is Colchester’s longest-serving player, is one of a number of players at the club who will see his contract expire this summer.

The Colchester-born defender has made more than 200 league and cup appearances for his home-town club after joining them from neighbours Ipswich Town in May, 2011.

There is better news on the injury front for Sammie Szmodics, though.

The attacking midfielder will be ready for the start of pre-season after recovering from a foot injury which sidelined the former U’s academy player for the final five months of this season.

Szmodics has not played a competitive game since featuring in Colchester’s 3-2 FA Cup win over Altrincham, last December.