Colchester United could be boosted by the return of key duo Kurtis Guthrie and Sean Murray for their clash with Exeter City, on Saturday.

The pair have both been training with the U's first-team squad this week, as they prepare for their game against the Grecians at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Guthrie has managed only a few minutes of league action so far this season, after suffering a setback following ankle surgery last summer.

But the striker played 45 minutes for the U's under-23 side in their Premier League Cup defeat at the hands of Newcastle United, on Monday night and could be set for a return to the squad.

Midfielder Murray is also edging in on a comeback, having not played since the U's 0-0 draw at Coventry City in October.

Colchester head coach John McGreal said: "Sean has been training with the first team squad.

“Kurtis has trained today and that’s all I can say (on whether he’s in my thoughts for Saturday).

“He played 45 minutes the other night (for the under-23s against Newcastle).

“He was hopeful that he was going to train on Tuesday but we thought it would all be a bit too much, too soon.

“We’ve also pulled him out of the under-23 game at Swansea to keep him training with the first team, so it’s assessing as we go along what’s best for him and getting the advice of the physios and sports scientists on where he’s at with his numbers."