COLCHESTER United are hoping that the leg injury suffered by Owura Edwards on his return to Bristol is not one that will keep him on the sidelines.

The 20-year-old winger, on loan at the U's from Championship side Bristol City, left the Memorial Stadium with ice strapped to the upper part of his leg following his side's 1-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

Edwards completed the whole of the 90 minutes for Colchester, who were narrowly beaten by Elliot Anderson's second-half strike.

But he was left the ground walking gingerly and the U's will be keen for the winger to recover in time for their next match, a home clash with League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers next Monday night in the club's Game for Ukraine.

Edwards has made 29 appearances for Colchester since joining them on loan from Bristol City in January, scoring three times including twice in his last two games.

Colchester interim head coach Wayne Brown said: “We’ll have to assess, in the coming days and see where we are on the injury front."

Gazette:

Colchester were without skipper Tommy Smith for the Bristol Rovers game after he missed out on the trip to the West Country, due to illness.

The former Ipswich Town defender was replaced at the heart of the U's defence by long-serving Tom Eastman (pictured above), who made his first start for the club in six matches alongside Luke Chambers.

“Smudger missed out, so that was a miss for us," said Brown.

“But Easty has come in after being patient, being on the bench and not being in squads and he’s done great.

“That’s what’s going to be needed, between now and the end of the season.

“We brought Miles (Welch-Hayes) on (against Port Vale) who like Coxey and Hanno, hasn’t been involved in squads of late.

“I keep reiterating to the whole squad that you’re going to be needed and when you’re needed, you’re going to have to be ready to be called upon and Miles was."

Young midfielder Marley Marshall Miranda, who had been due to play for Colchester's under-23s against Bristol City earlier in the day, was a late addition to the substitutes bench for the Rovers game.

Brown added: “The 23s were playing at Bristol City which was down the road and we always chuck a couple of shirts in, just in case we do hit any injuries or any illnesses."