ELLIS Iandolo admits his spell on the sidelines felt like the ‘longest four months of his career’.

But the Colchester United defender is now back in the fold and eager to help the club move away from League Two relegation danger.

Iandolo made his long-awaited comeback as a second-half substitute in the U’s’ 2-1 defeat at Wrexham last weekend, having been out for four months with an ankle injury sustained in their opening league game at Bradford City.

It was cruel luck for the 26-year-old, who joined Colchester from their divisional rivals Swindon Town in the summer but Iandolo is now back and raring to go, ahead of tonight’s home clash with Salford City.

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Iandolo said: “It was probably the longest four months of my career.

“It was really tough.

“I feel like I had a really good pre-season and I felt fit, probably the fittest I’ve felt in a long time.

“To get injured in that first game was a really tough one to take.

“It was a lot longer that I expected but you can only do what’s asked of you when you’re injured and be as fit and ready as you can and be in a position to do your best for the team.

“I’m just focused on the Salford game now and doing what I can in terms of minutes for the team.

Gazette:

“I don’t think you’d find a player who’ll tell you he’s not ready to start.

“There’s loads of games over Christmas and I’ll probably have to be managed a little bit in comparison to other players but I feel ready and fit.

“I’ve had a similar injury before and I feel like it’s a bit easier coming back at this stage of the season, where teams are maybe fatiguing a bit as well.

“You’ve got that to contend with whereas when you start the season, teams are fresh off the back of a good pre-season and it can be a little bit tougher.”

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Iandolo came on as a second-half substitute for Will Greenidge at Wrexham last weekend, playing the final half hour at the Racecourse Ground.

The former Swindon player provided the cross that led to Jayden Fevrier’s late consolation goal and says he was happy to return to action.

“It was good to be back out there,” added Iandolo.

Gazette:

“It wasn’t the result we wanted but it’s a busy Christmas period coming up and we’re looking to put that right, as a team.

“There’s a few lads back in the fold now over the next couple of games which is really important to the team and hopefully we can kick on.”