Colchester United will check on Callum Harriott's fitness

The U’s winger (pictured below) was forced off at half-time of his side’s win over Walsall, on Saturday evening.

Harriott, who had earlier hit a post in his team’s 2-1 triumph, was the victim of a cynical challenge by Tyreik Wright, for which the Walsall attacker was duly booked.

The former Reading and Charlton Athletic attacker suffered a knock to both his ankle and Achilles following the challenge and he will now be assessed, ahead of Colchester’s key game against Southend.

U’s interim head coach Hayden Mullins said: “The challenge on Callum wasn’t needed – he was away from the player and he’s got a hack at him.

“He’s got a kick to his ankle/Achilles.

“With it being so close to half-time, we wanted to get him at half-time and have a look at him.

“He wasn’t able to carry on.

“He’s iced it and we’ll have a look at him and see where he is.

“He couldn’t continue with the game...he's a doubt for Tuesday.”

Meanwhile, Mullins has revealed that goalkeeper Dean Gerken was not fit enough to start Colchester’s win over Walsall.

Gerken was only among the substitutes for the game against the Saddlers, with Shamal George recalled to the starting line-up.

“Gerks was struggling with a bit of a problem with his hip, so that decision was taken out of our hands,” said Mullins, who made three changes to his starting line-up for the Walsall game.

“Shamal came in and has done brilliant again.”

Mullins admits he was glad to get his first win as Colchester’s interim head coach under his belt.

The former West Ham and Portsmouth favourite has lost only one of his four games in charge of the U’s since taking over from Wayne Brown in the role, last month.

Colchester now lie six points above the relegation zone with four games remaining, heading into their key battle with Southend United tomorrow night.

Mullins added: “It felt brilliant to get a win.

“There’s loads that goes on in your head when you’re on the touchline and you’re doing the team.

“We wanted to get the win, we wanted to get it done, we wanted to get it out of the way.

“I’m so happy for the boys – a win brings a different group on the training ground as it brings confidence and a little bit of relaxation about the place, not in the sense of ‘we’ve done it’ or anything like that but more that they can think about different things.

“Then it’s about recovering and refocusing for Tuesday.

“It’s testament to the boys and I said to them at the end that it’s all their work.

“All of the lads deserve the credit for the win.”