COLCHESTER United will be wrapping skipper Harry Pell ‘up in cotton wool’ this week following his return from a knee injury.

That’s the view of boss Steve Ball, who was delighted to welcome his experienced captain back to his U’s starting line-up.

Pell produced a man-of-the-match performance in Colchester’s 1-1 draw with new League Two leaders Cambridge United last weekend, his first competitive match in nearly two months.

The 29-year-old is in line to feature again for the U’s in their trip to play Morecambe this weekend and head coach Ball says he is glad to have his captain back.

Ball said: “We’ve missed Harry Pell – he’s our captain and he’s a presence in there and he gets forward as well.

“It’s good to have Harry back – we’ve just got to wrap him up in cotton wool this week.”

Colchester sit 13th in League Two, following last night’s results in the division.

They are six points off the play-off places and are without a win in six matches.

However, boss Ball says he has been encouraged by the way his team have performed in their last two games, both of which have ended in draws against current top-six sides.

“In the last two performances, I’ve seen a real hunger and desire to play,” said Ball.

“We’ve obviously had a few injuries and they’re coming back.

“Any team at any time of the season is going to have a little blip.

“Is three draws and three defeats in six the end of the world? No.

“Do we want to get back winning? Of course we do and we want to do that next week.”

Colchester's next game will be against a Morecambe side who played out a 1-1 draw with Walsall at the Globe Arena, last night.

The Shrimps, who won 2-1 at the JobServe Community Stadium last month, lie in eighth spot in League Two and U's boss Ball knows it will be another test for his side, this weekend.

Ball added: “I know it’s a cliché but every game is tough.

“The league is never-ending and every game presents a challenge."