DANNY Cowley says having Samson Tovide available again will be an ‘incredible lift’ for Colchester United.

The 20-year-old striker is back in training, having been sidelined for more than three months with an ankle injury sustained in the U’s 2-1 home defeat to Crawley Town, in early December.

Tovide, who has scored five goals in 21 appearances for the U’s this season, is edging closer to a long-awaited recovery and is hoping to play his part in helping to keep the club in the Football League.

READ MORE: U's facing hectic schedule after latest postponement

Cowley is hoping to welcome the talented forward back by the end of the month and the Colchester boss says he is delighted to have Tovide back.

Cowley said: “It’s unbelievable news for Samson.

“Do you remember when you were young, you’d get a really good toy for Christmas but you don’t have any batteries?

“You’d have to wait until the shops open again so you can put the batteries in and actually play with the toy.

“I’ve said to Samson, since I’ve arrived, that’s kind of been my feeling!

“I’ve got this wonderful toy that looks so exciting and I’m desperate to use him and play with him and he’s not been available!

Gazette: Samson Tovide

“But he’s back training with the group and it’s great to have him back.

“We’re hoping that we’ll have him back in full training later this month, with the possibility of him maybe being back for the Newport game on March 29.

“It will be an incredible lift.

“Wow, for us to have Samson back at this stage of the season will give everybody at Colchester United both inside and also our wonderful supporters a huge lift.

“It’s really exciting."

READ MORE: Colchester plan 'major works' on pitch after postponements

Colchester have also received good news on Fiacre Kelleher’s injury.

The experienced centre-back has not played since mid-December for the U’s, having initially suffered a Grade Two Rectus Femoris tear and then back issues.

Kelleher has made only four league starts for Colchester so far this season but is on his way back.

“Kells has made a real breakthrough with his injury,” added Cowley.

“We’re hoping that he’ll be available on a similar time frame which again will give us experience and leadership and really help the boys that we already have.”