Colchester United are hoping that Sammie Szmodics will not need to undergo surgery on his troublesome foot injury.

The energetic youngster has not featured for the U’s for two and a half months and is yet to play under boss Kevin Keen.

Szmodics has been wearing a protective boot after suffering the injury in an under-21 match against Queens Park Rangers.

The former Stanway School pupil underwent a foot injection last month in a bid to help him return to action.

Colchester boss Kevin Keen is hoping that rest and recuperation will prevent the need for Szmodics to go under the knife.

Keen said: “It has been a bit more positive over the last few days so fingers crossed for him.

“He’s another one who brings the energy and enthusiasm that the younger players bring.

“He’s struggled with a really niggling injury but we decided with him that we’d try to recuperate it in another way because he’s a young man.

“Surgery is the last option so hopefully he’s in a period where he’s had some time out with some rest and that’s done it some good.

“Fingers crossed for Sammie, because he’s not the best at being patient and he wants to get on with it.”

Szmodics has made eight appearances for Colchester this season but only two of those have been starts.

The 20-year-old spent nearly a month on loan at National League side Braintree Town earlier this season, making three appearances for the Iron and scoring twice.