Magnus Okuonghae could be set for a shock return for Colchester United before the end of the season.

The U’s captain had been expected to miss the rest of the current campaign, after rupturing his Achilles tendon against Coventry City, last November.

However, Okuonghae, who is Colchester’s longest-serving player, is making good progress in his rehabilitation following the injury.

And the 29-year-old could give the U’s a big boost by returning before the end of the current campaign and help them in the battle to stave off relegation.

Colchester boss Tony Humes said: “Magnus is doing very well.

“He is on schedule, potentially to be involved at some stage before the end of the season.

“So we will see how that develops.

“Hopefully for Magnus he can get fit and gets in that situation.”

Humes is also hoping that defender Frankie Kent will return to competitive action, this month.

The centre-back has been missing since last November after undergoing knee surgery but is back training with the club’s under-21 side.

“Frankie’s in line to get a game over the next couple of weeks,” said Humes.

“I wouldn’t like to say when and it’s something we’re not going to push because he’s a young player.

“We want to make sure he’s fully rehabilitated before he’s back in competitive action.

“But he’s making good progress as well.”

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