Colchester United club captain Luke Prosser is set to miss the opening six weeks of the new League Two season after undergoing further knee surgery.

The U’s defender has not played since undergoing an initial operation on the injury last November and is now set for a further lay-off.

Prosser, 29, has not featured in pre-season for Colchester and following a visit to see the specialist earlier this month, has now gone under the knife again in a bid to make a long-awaited return to League Two action.

Meanwhile, Colchester head coach John McGreal said it was crucial they bolstered their attacking options, with Kurtis Guthrie still yet to feature in pre-season following the ankle injury he sustained in February.

The former Forest Green Rovers striker is expected to return next week but is facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the new League Two season, on August 5.

McGreal said: “Kurtis has still got another week, I would imagine.

“That’s why it was vital that we strengthened that centre forward area.

“It will be competitive in those positions.”

Midfielder Doug Loft is expected to resume first-team training today, after missing Colchester’s last two friendlies with a minor calf injury.

The former Port Vale captain has been focusing on strengthening work over recent days.