Midfield dynamo Kem Izzet will be given a special injection in a bid to boost his flagging fitness levels.

The long-serving Colchester United player has been laid low with a virus which has sidelined him for several weeks.

The 29-year-old has played only 30 minutes of football for the U’s since contracting the bug in mid-October.

Izzet is likely to be missing again for Colchester at Oldham Athletic on Saturday.

And he will be given a steroid injection, in an attempt to boost his immune system.

U’s boss Aidy Boothroyd said: “The whole thing has knocked Kem off his feet.”

However, there is better news regarding Kevin Lisbie, who has also been suffering from a virus.

The striker-turned-winger has sat out the U’s last two matches.

But Lisbie, on loan from Ipswich Town, returned to training yesterday and could be set to play at Boundary Park, this weekend.

Anthony Wordsworth and Steven Gillespie have also showed signs of being under the weather this week.

But boss Boothroyd was quick to allay fears of an epidemic among his squad.

“We’re taking precautions as a club but it’s nothing to over-react to,” said Boothroyd.

“It’s the same in a lot of places at this time of year.”

Meanwhile, U’s striker Jamie Guy could be set for another loan move, after his spell at Port Vale was cut short.

Guy is now back at Colchester, after his temporary switch to Vale Park was terminated with immediate effect.

The 22-year-old started one game for Micky Adams’ side during his spell with the Valiants, which had been due to expire in January.

And he found himself in court in Staffordshire earlier this month, where he denied a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour, which was racially-aggravated, towards an off-duty policeman.

Guy will now face trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Boothroyd added: “Jamie is not playing at Port Vale and it was a mutual decision between the two clubs for him to come back to Colchester.

“We are keen to get Jamie match fit and for him to have games, so it may be that he goes out on loan again in the near future.”