TOM Lapslie has given Colchester United a boost after being given the green light to step up his training ahead of schedule, following knee surgery.

The combative midfielder underwent an operation to remove a floating piece of bone in his knee at the end of last month and it had initially been thought he might be sidelined until mid-October.

However, Lapslie has been working hard on his rehabilitation since the operation.

And following a meeting with the surgeon at the end of last week, the talented 22-year-old has been given the go ahead to step up his comeback.

U's head physio Tony Flynn told the club's matchday programme: "Tom has been working hard on his rehab over the past two and a half weeks and the initial timescale of four to six weeks looks like being nearer to four than six now.

"He saw the surgeon again on Thursday and we can push things on now in respect of the training he can do in the coming days.

"There is no reason to think he won't be back in action soon, nor that he will suffer any further problems with the knee."

Meanwhile, U's physio Flynn says youngster Louis Dunne could return to match action in November as he nears recovery from his long-term knee injury.