RYAN Jackson is back from injury to boost Colchester United ahead of this weekend’s trip to Plymouth Argyle.

But U’s head coach John McGreal admits the return of the U’s Players’ Player of the Year has presented him with a selection headache, as he prepares for the Home Park clash.

Jackson missed Colchester’s opening-day draw with Port Vale last weekend with a stomach injury and has not played since featuring in their friendly win at Cefn Druids, on July 13.

But the experienced right-back has trained this week and is set to return to the fold against the Pilgrims and give McGreal a welcome problem to solve, with Kane Vincent-Young and new signing Cohen Bramall impressing in the full-back positions against Vale.

McGreal said: “It just gives us a little bit of competition in that area, with Cohen (Bramall) and Kane (Vincent-Young).

“I thought Cohen was outstanding (against Port Vale) but Ryan Jackson was our player of the year last year, so we’ve got a little bit of a headache, at the minute.

“Do we try and fit them all into the team or do we drop one out?

“I’d rather have that problem though and when you have quality players like that at your disposal, you have good decisions to make.

“Ryan’s a fit boy and he’ll be fine – there’s no question about that.

“He’s an older pro who knows his body and he’s very seldom missed a game for me in two years, so he’ll be wanting to play I tell you that now.

“It’s a bonus to have him back with the vibrancy he brings and what type of player and character he is, too.

“I’m hoping he doesn’t have any setbacks, because we need a fit and well Ryan Jackson.”

Former Plymouth attacker Paris Cowan-Hall will miss out on the chance to return to his former club.

The U’s summer signing is still sidelined with the Achilles issue that forced him to sit out their draw with Port Vale and has been advised to rest the injury.

Colchester’s players will travel down to Plymouth today, as they embark on a 580-mile round trip for the League Two fixture.

But boss McGreal insists they will be not fazed by the long journey down to Devon.

He added: “It’s a long trip but Plymouth have got long trips – they’ve got longer ones that us, I’d imagine!

“It’s nice it’s early on in the season and it’s a new manager and new players there – there’ll be a bumper crowd, which is good for us as well.”