Colchester United have lined up a special fitness programme for star striker Steven Gillespie in a bid to cure him of his injuries.

The U’s record signing has been hampered by hamstring problems this season.

He lasted just 15 minutes of the club’s 5-0 triumph over Carlisle United last weekend.

A scan has revealed no major problems.

However, Gillespie will definitely sit out Colchester’s Essex derby at Southend United on Saturday.

Indeed, the 23-year-old is unlikely to return to the fold until the FA Cup clash against Leyton Orient on November 8, at the earliest.

As a result, U’s sports scientist David Carolan has created a programme specifically designed for Gillespie.

The schedule will be based around strength and conditioning exercises, designed to build up the player’s resistance to injury.

Colchester physio Tony Flynn told the Gazette: “The programme is something we’ve wanted to do for a while.

“The problem we’ve had is that it has been unable to gather any momentum.”