Colchester United’s injury crisis has deepened after key duo Kurtis Guthrie and Craig Slater were both ruled out until the end of the season.

Guthrie, who is the U’s leading goalscorer with 12 goals, will sit out the rest of the campaign with an ankle injury suffered in their 2-1 win over Hartlepool United, last weekend.

And Slater, who has been an impressive performer for Colchester in midfield over recent months and helped them challenge for the play-offs in League Two, will be sidelined with a double hernia.

The pair being ruled out adds to Colchester’s already extensive injury list, with more than a dozen first-team players currently sidelined.

However, Sammie Szmodics and Lewis Kinsella, who have both missed a large chunk of the season with ankle problems, are both set to be included in the U’s squad for their trip to play Cambridge United tomorrow.

Colchester assistant manager Steve Ball said: “It’s really sad as they are two who have been great for us this year.

“Offensively they have been massive for us.

“Kurtis is our leading scorer and Craig makes so much happen for us in that final third.

“But they are positive and will be back next season so that’s all we can do now.”

Ball still believes Colchester can make a challenge for promotion back to League One, in the coming weeks.

However, “It’s against the odds at the moment,” added Ball.

“John has been very calm about it but even he has been pushed by what has happened over the last two or three weeks.”