COLCHESTER United captain Luke Chambers wanted to stay on the pitch against Walsall - despite suffering a painful ankle injury.

The vastly-experienced defender suffered the injury in a challenge midway through the second half of the U's 0-0 draw with the Saddlers at the JobServe Community Stadium, on Tuesday night.

Chambers, 37, has made more league starts than any other Colchester player this season and the U's are hoping he will not be sidelined ahead of their trip to play promotion-chasing Carlisle United this weekend.

Colchester head coach Matt Bloomfield said: “It was a kick on his ankle in that challenge, in the middle of the pitch.

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“He wanted to stay on and he’s that kind of guy – you don’t get to the number of games that he’s got to without having the desire to play football.

“But he was extremely honest with us and felt like he was going to be slightly impeded and it was the right decision to bring him off.

“It obviously gave us less of a physical presence at the back but the desire of the players who stayed on the pitch was immense."

Colchester are awaiting confirmation on how long midfielder Cole Skuse could be sidelined for after he suffered a knee injury in last weekend's win at Grimsby Town.

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The 36-year-old has undergone a scan on the injury which he suffered in the first half of his side's 1-0 triumph, at Blundell Park.

Skuse had an ice pack on his right knee after being withdrawn against the Mariners.

“Cole has had a scan and we’re just waiting to hear back the news," said Bloomfield.

“It looks like it could be something to do with his cartilage so we’re just waiting to see how severe that is.

“We obviously hope to have him back as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Colchester have revealed Emyr Huws is working his way back after suffering a groin injury in training.

The former Wales international has not featured for the U's since making a substitute appearance against AFC Wimbledon, on December 29.

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Writing in the U's matchday programme for the Walsall game, first-team physio Hayden Clifton said: "Emyr has picked up a knock to his groin in training, this appears to be a minor muscle tear and won't see him sidelined for too long.

"But it will require some time to build back up the strength of the muscle and allow it to be re-conditioned to football specific movements.

"Ems has started grass based progressions last week and so is well on his way to returning to squad training soon."

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