LUKE Norris is set to return to the Colchester United squad for their trip to play Barrow, this weekend.

The striker is yet to feature for the U's this season after suffering a knee injury in the first few days of pre-season.

However, Norris has trained throughout the week with the rest of the first-team squad, at Florence Park.

And the 27-year-old is set to make the long trip up to Holker Street with Colchester for the League Two clash, this Saturday.

In a further boost, skipper Harry Pell and Callum Harriott are also set to be named in the U's squad for the clash.

Pell missed the 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers with a groin injury, which Harriott has been laid low by a hamstring problem, of late.

In addition, attacker Paris Cowan-Hall played nearly the full 90 minutes of Colchester's under-23 game against Charlton Athletic, on Monday night.

And Ball said: “We’ve got a couple back.

“We’re close on a couple still but it’s definitely improving and we’re definitely going to Barrow more or less full strength, which is really positive.

“To be there after a tough pre-season and four tough games, it’s good now to have that little bit of competitive edge.

“But the kids who have come in have all done great and they’ve helped give that competitive edge.

“The players who have been missing have now come back into the frame has brought a bit of an upturn in training with people trying to get back into the side.

“While that hopefully stays the same way, it’s going to improve everybody.

“It’s a massive boost to have those sort of players back and with the make up of the squad this season, those senior players are going to be very important just to guide the young ones through.

“If ever there’s a game where you need the senior ones it’s Barrow away, so it’s great."

Colchester are in confident mood ahead of making the trip up to Barrow tomorrow, after taking four points out of six in their opening two league games.

Ball added: “It’s been a really good week of prep again.

“This was a six-seven hour coach journey that we wanted to get out of the way early but we can’t wait and we’re in a good place.

“It’s all systems go."