Colchester United midfielder Tom Lapslie is set for a spell on the sidelines after a scan revealed the extent of his ankle injury.

The U's youngster is expected to be out "for a number of weeks" with the injury, which he suffered in the second half of his side's 3-2 win over Blackpool at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Lapslie was forced to sit out Colchester's 1-1 draw with Barnet last weekend as a result and is set to miss more matches, after the results of the scan were confirmed.

Colchester head coach John McGreal said: “Tom is going to be out for quite a few weeks.

“He had a scan and that’s a bit of a blow.

“Tom’s had a brilliant start to the season – he’s a combative player and that’s just the way he is.

“We’ll pick up injuries and I know that, having been a player myself.

“It’s what we do then and Craig (Slater) came in last week (at Barnet) and settled in brilliantly well, so we have got those players who can come in.”

For a three-page preview of Colchester's home game with Accrington Stanley, see tomorrow's Daily Gazette.