MILES Welch-Hayes could return to the Colchester United squad for their home clash with Crawley Town, this weekend.

Welch-Hayes missed the U’s 3-2 win at Barrow last Friday after picking up a hamstring injury in the warm-up, prior to his side’s Papa John’s Trophy clash with Gillingham last Tuesday.

However, the right-sided defender returned to training today at Florence Park for the first time since suffering the injury setback and could be set to return to the U’s squad, for the game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester head coach Hayden Mullins said: “He came out today; it’s the first time we’ve seen Miles training (since his injury) so we’ll see how he comes back and reports tomorrow.

“I don’t know whether he’ll be right for Saturday.

“He might be OK tomorrow – we’ll see how he responds to today’s training.

“It’s definitely an option for us.”

Colchester, who will be without the suspended Luke Chambers for the Crawley game following his red card at Barrow, have also been boosted by the return of Ryan Clampin to full training.

The U’s attacking left-back has missed the last four games because of an ankle but is also in line to return to the squad for the Crawley game.

“Clamps is back and is training with us now,” said Mullins.

“He’s been back fit this week and has had a full week’s training.

“We’ll have a chat with Clamps and see where he’s at and how he responds.”

Experienced goalkeeper Dean Gerken is also back in training with Colchester, having not yet featured for them this season.

Mullins said: “Gerks is back in - he had that time when he was missing through Covid and stuff.

“But he’s back in with us since the beginning of last week and has had a full week’s training.”

Meanwhile Mullins has confirmed that the ankle injury suffered by youngster Harry Beadle in the 1-0 defeat to Gillingham last week is not as bad as first feared.

Beadle limped off on his senior debut for the U’s after rolling his ankle but is on the road to recovery.

Mullins added: “We’ve had him looked at and he should be back in training in the next week as well.”