WAYNE Brown has provided an update on the fitness of midfielder Emyr Huws.

The 28-year-old midfielder joined Colchester United last month on a deal until the end of the season and started four successive games for them, in the space of 14 days.

Huws impressed in those matches, having previously not played a competitive game for more than a year.

The former Ipswich Town player played every minute in each of those fixtures but has since missed the U's last two matches, against Mansfield Town and Leyton Orient.

Brown says Huws has suffered a 'little tweak', which has sidelined him for the last two games.

However, the U's interim boss said they respect the midfielder's ability to look after his own fitness.

Brown said: “What you’ve got to remember with Ems is that he hasn’t played any football for probably eight months and then we’ve asked him to come in and he’s played four on the bounce.

"At some stage, your body tells you that it's a little bit sore or a bit tight.

"We have to look after him but he's old enough to know his own body.

"He's very, very good away from this environment of looking after himself and we have to give that respect.

"Prevention is better than cure.

"He's had a little tweak but it's about how we manage that now and how we get him back into the fold."

Gazette:

Huws has hit the ground running at Colchester.

The Wales international has impressed in midfield for the U's, since signing for the club as a free agent.

Speaking to the Gazette after scoring Colchester's last-gasp equaliser against Swindon Town, he said: “I’m really enjoying it.

“I had a bit of a break but I put the work in and I felt like it was time to get back playing again.

“I’m really happy to be doing it and really happy playing for Colchester.

“It’s not been that hard returning to playing – I’ve looked after myself, so I was ready.

“Playing Saturday-Tuesday is where you get your fitness and I’m enjoying it."