Tom Eastman is still hopeful of playing his part in Colchester United’s promotion push this season – despite facing a long spell on the sidelines.

The long-serving U’s defender is likely to undergo an operation after rupturing ankle ligaments in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw at Blackpool ten days ago.

The estimated recovery time for Eastman is at least three months – but the 25-year-old has not given up on the prospect of playing for Colchester again this season.

Eastman told the Daily Gazette: “It’s not ideal and it’s disappointing, especially as it happened in the last minute of the game.

“I hope I’ll be back before the end of the season, if I can get it right.

“I’ll get my rehab done with Flynny (first-team physio Tony Flynn) so I’m in good hands and all I can do is be patient and work hard on the rehab and we have to make sure it’s strong.

“I’ve been here a few years with Flynny and we know each other well.

“He’s a good physio and he’ll try and help me back as quickly as he can but obviously not too quickly, as we have to make sure that it’s right and we don’t want it happening again.”

Eastman admits he is unsure how exactly the injury happened at Blackpool.

“To be honest, there wasn’t too much in it,” said the former Ipswich Town defender.

“I just went up for a header with their striker and I’m not sure whether I landed on his boot or twisted my ankle but all of my weight went through an unstable ankle.”

Eastman, who has made more than 200 league appearances for Colchester, has been relatively injury-free since joining them from Ipswich Town in 2011.

He added: “I’ve been very lucky with injuries.

“I picked up one last season but in the end, I only missed the last game and I was back for the first game of this season.

“Every professional footballer will miss some games through injury but I’ve been lucky over the last few years and maybe it was just my turn.

“The boys have got to now take care of business and all I can do now is support them in the changing room and give any advice when needed.”

Colchester will be without a host of players against Crawley Town tonight.

Frankie Kent and Lloyd Doyley are their latest injury casualties.

However, Chris Porter and Richard Brindley could both return.