Drey Wright is pushing for a place in Colchester United’s starting line-up for their clash with Wycombe Wanderers tonight.

The winger returned earlier than expected from hernia surgery to impress as a second-half substitute in the U’s 2-1 reverse at Accrington Stanley, last Saturday.

Wright had been expected to be sidelined for up to five weeks following the operation, which he underwent on January 23.

But the 21-year-old made a swift comeback and is now a contender to start against Wycombe, having won the penalty that led to Chris Porter’s consolation at Accrington.

Colchester head coach John McGreal said: “We had in mind if not the Wycombe game then definitely Hartlepool (on Saturday) for Drey but he’s looked after himself really well.

“We knew it would be three weeks, four weeks at a push but he’s done really well to be back playing in three and a half weeks.

“That’s fantastic and I thought that he put in a really good performance (at Accrington).

“I was able to utilise Drey for 45 minutes and I thought he did really well, so he looks quite up to speed.

“He got the penalty and caused their boys one or two problems.”

Colchester still have a dozen players sidelined due to injury, with striker Denny Johnstone the latest player on the treatment table after hurting his knee at Accrington and leaving the Wham Stadium on crutches.

But along with Wright, skipper Porter returned after a two-week lay-off in the disappointing defeat while midfielder Sean Murray is available again after serving a three-match suspension.

McGreal said: “Sean’s been chomping at the bit in training so I’m sure he’ll be looking for his home debut so at least we’ve got another body coming into the squad.”

Colchester now have back-to-back home games and know a win over Wycombe tonight will lift them back into the League Two play-off places ahead of the visit of Hartlepool United, on Saturday.

McGreal said: “I think it’s one of those where we’ve got two home games now and we’ll take one at a time.

“It’s going to be a tough game against Wycombe and hopefully, we’ll be ready for it.

“There’s a rivalry there going back many years and that should add a bit of spice to it.”