Kurtis Guthrie admits he is finding it frustrating not being a part of Colchester United’s ongoing play-off push.

But the U’s striker says he is ahead of schedule as he battles back from the injury blow that has cut his season short.

Guthrie is making good progress as he recovers from ankle surgery after being stretchered off in Colchester’s 2-1 win over Hartlepool United, last February.

The 24-year-old, who has scored 12 goals for the U’s this season, admits it has been difficult watching his team-mates from the sidelines – but says he will be cheering them on when they attempt to clinch a play-off spot against Yeovil Town, on Saturday.

Guthrie told the Daily Gazette: “The recovery is going very well.

“I don’t think that I’ll be back any time before the end of the season.

“But it’s progressing well and I’m ahead of schedule, which is good.

“It’s very frustrating that I’m not able to play at the moment.

“I’ve been at the games and it’s been hard to watch, not because we’re not doing well because we are but because I think I could be affecting things, on the pitch.

“But I’m feeling as fit as a fiddle and I don’t think there’ll be any problems, when I come back.

“I obviously hope that the boys can make it into the play-offs.

“We know what we need to do against Yeovil on Saturday and we also need a few other results elsewhere to go in our favour, so it’s all to play for on the final day of the season.”

It is the third successive season that Guthrie has been part of a squad pushing for promotion.

Prior to joining Colchester last summer, the former Accrington Stanley forward was a member of the Forest Green Rovers team that reached the National League play-offs two years’ running, including a Wembley defeat to Grimsby Town in last season’s final.

“I had two years running before I came to Colchester when I’d been involved in the play-offs with Forest Green,” added Guthrie.

“I think from my experience of being part of something like this, belief is the main thing you have to have as a team.

“And you also need people to step up and be match winners for you.

“If you can have those qualities, you can get to where you want to be.”

Colchester under-23s were beaten 3-0 by Leeds United in their final Professional Development League Two match of the season.