Colchester United leading scorer Sammie Szmodics has been advised to rest in a bid to cure his troublesome back problem.

Szmodics missed the U's 1-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra at the weekend and has been suffering with the issue for a number of weeks, according to head coach John McGreal.

The 22-year-old, who has scored 13 times in all competitions for Colchester so far this season, has not started any of their last four matches in League Two and has not netted since scoring in their 3-1 loss at Wycombe Wanderers, on January 13.

“Sammie has been suffering with his back for a number of weeks," said McGreal.

“He comes in for a cameo and then it tends to lock up.

“He’s been to the chiropractor and he’s got to have rest.

“I don’t know how long that will be so we’ll keep in touch with the physio and chiropractor to see how long he’s going to be."

Meanwhile, McGreal admits he does not know when striker Kurtis Guthrie will return from an ankle injury.

Guthrie suffered the knock in the U's 1-1 draw at Carlisle United, on February 10.

McGreal said: “Kurtis has been in over the weekend getting extra treatment, to see what the early part of next week brings.

“I’m not too hopeful but we’ll assess it as we go along."