COLCHESTER United have received some positive news on the injury front as they battle for League Two survival.

U's head coach Danny Cowley confirmed today that striker Samson Tovide has trained all week with the squad following his ankle injury and could even be in line to be involved in their home clash with Walsall, this weekend.

And Conor Wilkinson, Fiacre Kelleher and Zach Mitchell are also all closing in on a return, following recent injury problems.

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Tovide has been out for more than three months with an ankle injury sustained in the U’s 2-1 home defeat to Crawley Town, in early December.

The 20-year-old 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.

Cowley said: "Samson has trained with the group all week, so there's potential for even Saturday.

"Conor Wilkinson also trained today for the first time, which was another real positive.

Gazette:

"Zach Mitchell was back on the grass today with Kells (Fiacre Kelleher).

"They're now building up their technical work and they're not far away at all.

"Hopefully, they'll be back in full training again next week, which will be brilliant.

"To have these players back will give everyone an incredible lift.

"In terms of the injury front, things are looking much more positive."

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Mitchell has not featured for Colchester since their 1-1 draw with Bradford City in the Cowleys' first home game in charge, on January 13.

The 19-year-old defender has made 28 appearances for the U's so far this season, following his season-long loan move from League One side Charlton Athletic.

"Zach had a tight hamstring," added Cowley.

"He went back to Charlton for ten days.

Gazette:

"It's his first-ever hamstring injury actually; he just picked it up sprinting.

"He's hopefully back in full training next week."

Colchester are also set to welcome back left-sided defender Ellis Iandolo, who missed the 2-0 defeat at Barrow last weekend due to a quad injury.

Cowley added: "Ellis has trained today which is a real bonus to us because he's an incredibly important player for us.

"We're a better team when Ellis plays - there's no doubt about that."