COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal has revealed the reason behind Paris Cowan-Hall’s absence for their League Two opener against Port Vale.

The 28-year-old attacker, who joined the U’s on a free transfer last month after leaving Wycombe Wanderers, was missing from their 1-1 draw at the JobServe Community Stadium.

McGreal said: “Paris has an Achilles problem.

“It could be the hard grounds over pre-season but it’s one that we’re monitoring.

“He comes back, feels it and then he has to come off.”

McGreal admits he does not know when right-back Ryan Jackson will return to action following his abdominal problem.

The experienced full-back sat out the curtain-raiser against Vale and has not featured since the U’s pre-season friendly win at Cefn Druids, on July 13.

Jackson had previously undergone a scan on the problem and was initially thought to be close to a comeback.

However, boss McGreal admits he is uncertain on how much longer the former Gillingham defender will be unavailable.

“Jacko’s injured so we don’t know how long that’s going to be,” said McGreal.

“He’s not really anywhere nearer and it’s been going on for the last three weeks really, since Carden Park.

“He had a scan on it and we thought he had the all clear but then he’s come back into training and something’s come up.

“It’s one where we’re leaving it now with the physios.”

Colchester now have a full week to prepare for their first away game of the season at Plymouth Argyle, this weekend.

McGreal is hoping for a productive few days in training, following their closely-contested meeting with Vale.

He added: “The games will soon come thick and fast so we have to make the most of a week between games and regroup.

“There’s one or two tired limbs after that because I thought we put in a hell of a shift, to try and get that winner.”