Colchester United midfielder Sean Murray is set for up to six weeks on the sidelines after undergoing a knee operation.

Murray suffered the injury in the U's 0-0 draw at Coventry City last weekend and underwent surgery on Friday, forcing the former Watford youngster to sit out the U's 3-1 triumph over Crewe Alexandra yesterday.

It is a blow for Colchester and Murray, who had been in good form for them over recent weeks.

Colchester head coach John McGreal said: “Sean has had an operation.

“He hurt his knee last week at Coventry but we were hoping it was settling down.

“He went for a scan and now he’s had an operation (on Friday).

“He’s going to be out for between four to six weeks which is a bitter blow.

“But we do have Craig Slater who’s nearly up to speed again and Tom Lapslie will be back next week, so we have got one or two options in there."