COLCHESTER United are hoping that Brendan Wiredu will soon be able to return to training following the knee injury that has left him sidelined.

The 22-year-old has missed the U's last three games in League Two after a scan revealed he had niggled a previous knee injury in training earlier this month.

Wiredu took part in light drills on the JobServe Community Stadium pitch, prior to their 1-1 draw with Newport County, on Tuesday night.

The former Charlton Athletic youngster is currently taking part in exercises to build muscle power in the knee and is hopeful of returning to the Florence Park training pitch, sooner rather than later.

Writing in the matchday programme, U's first-team physio Vicky Athey said: "It's been a frustrating time for Brendan, having niggled a past injury during training.

"However, after a tricky week, we now have confirmation from a scan that it's a flare up to his previous medial collateral ligament injury.

"We have been building Brendan's strength to support his knee and are progressing towards plyometrics so that we can look to get him onto grass rehab and back to training.

"Brendan has remained positive throughout this process and I can't wait to see him back on the pitch with the team."

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Meanwhile, Colchester have confirmed that goalkeeper Shamal George (pictured above) did not fracture any ribs after suffering an injury at Stevenage which has left him recently sidelined.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper was forced out of the U's 1-0 loss at the Lamex Stadium early in the second half last weekend following a collision with the home side's Elliott List.

George has been forced to sit out Colchester's previous two league games, with Jake Turner deputising between the sticks.

Athey added: "Following Sham's knock to his ribs last week, he has luckily been cleared of any fracture.

"However, the bone bruising to his ribs has been painful and complicated due to this area impacting on deep breathing and upper body movements.

"Thankfully, his pain is settling and the tissue is healing so we hope to see him back in goal soon."