COLCHESTER United have received a boost after learning that Emyr Huws will not require surgery on his ankle injury.

However, the U's are reluctant to put a timescale on the midfielder's recovery and potential return to action.

Huws underwent a scan and has seen a specialist over the injury, which he suffered in Colchester's 1-0 friendly defeat to Millwall, last month.

The 28-year-old was injured following a challenge by Millwall defender Jake Cooper in the first half of the pre-season game, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Huws suffered swelling to his left ankle as a result of the tackle and is currently sidelined, as a result.

However, Colchester head coach Wayne Brown has revealed the former Ipswich Town player's likely return date is yet to be determined.

Brown said: “We feared the worst with Ems.

“We feared he might have to have an op but that’s not the case thankfully.

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“The timescale and when he’ll be back is still a little bit unclear.

"But it’s an injury that we need to manage properly and in the right way, where he can come back and stay fit."

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Huws signed a one-year deal with Colchester in June having made 12 appearances for them last season after joining them on a short-term deal, in January.

He spent four seasons at Ipswich prior to that, leaving at the end of the 2020-21 season following the completion of his contract.

Meanwhile, Brown says he is happy that there is strong competition for places within his Colchester squad, this season.

The likes of Frank Nouble, Alex Newby, Cameron Coxe and Tom Dallison were all on the bench for the U's League Two curtain-raiser at Northampton Town and all featured in a friendly at Stowmarket Town, last night.

Brown added: "If you find yourself out of the team, then you've got to do everything that you can to get back into it.

"That's football; that will never change.

"Competition for places is rife and that's the way you want it.

"We'll pick a team to go out and get results."