Doug Loft is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines after being ruled for up to three months with an Achilles injury.

The Colchester United midfielder, who joined them from Gillingham in the summer, could be out until December.

Former Brighton and Port Vale man Loft has featured four times for the U’s since arriving from the Gills but has not featured for the U’s since their 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth, last month.

Colchester head coach John McGreal said: “It’s a bit of a body blow for Doug – he’s disappointed and so are we.

“He’s a great guy to have around the place and that’s still the case now, even though he has a three-month injury.

“He’s still being positive.

“He put in a performance against Portsmouth and that just seemed to kick off his injury a little bit.

“Footballers do get injuries and he will recover from it.

“He’s a strong boy mentally and he’ll come back better.”