Colchester United defender Michael O'Donoghue is facing a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury in training.

The 18-year-old academy product is set to be out for around nine months, after suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament during training.

It is terrible luck for O'Donoghue, who made his senior debut in the U’s defeat at Barnsley last month.

The left-back had also been an unused substitute in each of Colchester’s last two games.

U’s boss Tony Humes said: “We obviously have to deal with it and we’re disappointed for the lad.

“He just twisted openly in training and there was no contact - unfortunately, you can’t do anything about it.

“It’s the innocuous injuries that turn out to be the worst.”

For more on this story, see Friday's Daily Gazette.