Tony Humes is hopeful midfielder Alex Gilbey will be fit enough to return to the Colchester United squad for their home clash with Walsall this weekend.
The 20-year-old has been sidelined for six weeks, after suffering an ankle injury in training.
Gilbey’s last appearances for Colchester came in their 6-0 drubbing at MK Dons, last November.
U's boss Humes said: “There’s a good chance Alex will be available for the Walsall game.
“He’s not far off, which is really positive.
“When it first happened, it looked like he could have been out a bit longer.
“But the time he’s had out is a reasonable period of recovery time for the injury he had.”
With Gilbey on the mend and David Fox agreeing to a short-term deal last week, Humes says it is unlikely he will make any midfield additions in the transfer window.
He added: “Midfield-wise, we have enough bodies.
“But you keep your options open in case somebody does become available who gives you something a little different to what you’ve already got.”
For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.
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