COLCHESTER United boss Hayden Mullins insists they will not rush Ryan Clampin back from his ankle injury.

The 22-year-old has missed the U's last two matches after suffering the ailment in the 1-1 draw against Mansfield Town, on August 17.

Clampin will sit out Colchester's home clash with Sutton United tomorrow and is also likely to miss their Papa John's Trophy group opener against Gillingham, next Tuesday.

But Mullins has stressed that they must be careful with the left-back - and be wary of him coming back, too soon.

Mullins said: “Ryan is with the physios – he has an ongoing issue, so he’s trying to get that right.

“We don’t expect Clamps to be back until sometime next week.

“He hasn’t been with us since the Mansfield game.

“The reports we had were that the time was supposed to be a little bit shorter for him to be out.

"But it’s important that he gets it right.

“It’s a long, long season and Clamps is a good player.

“He gives us a lot of energy and a lot of quality on that left-hand side and we won’t rush him back.

“Charlie (Daniels) is playing at the moment and doing really well and it’s important that we get Clamps fit and raring to go and up to speed - there’s no rush on that one."

Gazette:

Sidelined - Ryan Clampin shows his anguish after suffering the ankle injury in Colchester's draw with Mansfield, last month Picture: STEVE BRADING

Colchester have received some good news on the injury front, though, with the return of midfielder Alan Judge.

The former Ipswich Town midfielder trained at Florence Park yesterday with the rest of the squad, after missing their 1-1 draw at Rochdale last Friday with a groin problem.

Mullins added: “Judgey trained (on Thursday) which is good and is back in the squad again.

“He gives us another really good attacking option.

“He felt his groin and we missed him all of last week.

“It was important that he got the right; hopefully he is right and we’ll see how he is (on Friday)."

Colchester have no new fresh injury worries ahead of their home game with Sutton, this weekend.

The U's are aiming to make it four games unbeaten and chalk up their first home win of the season tomorrow.