COLCHESTER United are hopeful that experienced midfielder Cole Skuse will be available for their home clash with Swindon Town tomorrow.

The 35-year-old had to be substituted midway through the first half of the U's 3-0 win at Salford City last weekend, after suffering an eye problem.

Skuse suffered blurred vision after the incident but Colchester interim head coach Wayne Brown is hoping Skuse will be available, on Saturday,

Brown said: “He struggled in the first part of the week.

“But it seems to have got better as the week has progressed, which is great.

“Hopefully he can be in and around it again, at the weekend.

“I think it was a finger poked in his eye.

“When it happened and a few days after to be fair, he had blurry vision and you can’t be too careful, when it comes to that.

“He couldn’t really see out of that eye in the game, hence why he had to come off straight away."

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Colchester also expect forward Corie Andrews to be fit for their game against Swindon.

The AFC Wimbledon loanee came on as a substitute and scored in the win at Salford.

However, he had to be withdrawn soon after, having suffered a blow to his back.

Brown said: “Corie’s fine - he got a whack in the back which restricted him in what he did, on the pitch.

“We just felt that we had to make a change late on, to make sure that we had a fit and able person to do what we’re asking them to do on the pitch."

Colchester will be without skipper Tommy Smith, who is currently away with New Zealand on international duty.

The experienced defender will miss the U's games against Swindon and Rochdale.

Brown said: “Whilst people are away on international duty or out of the team through injury or suspension, whatever the case may be, there’s always an opportunity for somebody else to come in and earn the shirt.

“There was a couple last Saturday who did just that."

Aside from Smith's absence and long-term injury casualty Ryan Clampin, the U's have a full squad to choose from against Swindon.

He added: “They’re the sort of headaches that you want.

“We’ve got very little injuries at the moment, which is great.

“We’ve got quality in depth in areas so as a manager, that’s all you can ask for."