Colchester United have been dealt a triple injury blow.

Defender Magnus Okuonghae could be out for up to two months with an ankle injury.

And the U's have also been rocked by the news that key duo Marc Tierney and Andrew Bond both require hernia operations that will rule them out for up to three weeks.

Both Tierney and Bond will undergo operations on their injuries tomorrow, having missed the U's 1-0 FA Cup second round win over Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.

Colchester manager John Ward said: “Magnus's foot is in a boot and might be in that for six to eight weeks.

“We've lost a really strong central defender and it's a blow.

“Andrew Bond and Marc Tierney will both have operations on Tuesday for inguinal hernias and will be out for two or three weeks.

“The three of them are major players in our team but the squad is a good one and we can cope with it."

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, see Monday's Gazette.