Craig Eastmond will undergo an X-ray today to assess the extent of the ankle injury he sustained in Colchester United's pre-season friendly win at Heybridge Swifts.

Eastmond was stretchered off and left Scraley Road on crutches following Swifts defender Ryan Doyle's over-zealous tackle on the midfielder in the first half of the U's 2-1 victory.

Doyle's heavy challenge sparked a furious reaction from the U's coaching staff and players and U's boss Joe Dunne said it might have been even worse, given the severity of the challenge.

Dunne said: “We’ll get Craig to the hospital today and get him sorted out with an X-ray.

“His foot is all strapped up and casted up.

“He’s very lucky because it could have been a lot worse.

“If it turns out to be just ligament damage, it’ll be a big bonus for us because we’ll get him back quicker.

“Anything else would be a massive blow to us but that doesn’t take away the severity of the challenge.

“You wouldn’t get that in a competitive match, let alone a friendly."

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