Colchester's Anderson likely to face knee surgery

Colchester United midfielder Harry Anderson is facing the prospect of a lengthy lay-off because of knee problems.

Anderson is to see a specialist but boss Danny Cowley is braced for the 28-year-old requiring an operation.

"Harry's done very well to this point to play with a knee that probably needed tidying up, and now he's picked up what is a pretty nasty medial ligament injury," Cowley told BBC Essex Sport.

"There's a possibility they could combine both surgeries together - we just need to speak to the surgeon about the best route forward."

Anderson has scored eight goals in 22 appearances this season, including a hat-trick in a 3-1 home win over Harrogate Town.

He was named League Two player of the month for October and has helped the U's to ninth place, four points outside the play-off places.

"I think he's had a brilliant season and credit to him, because early on it wasn't all going his way," Cowley added.

"He found himself out of the team but Harry did what Harry does best, he's super durable and kept working. Moving him to the left opened it up for him and he'll be a loss as a player, but also as a person."

Colchester's away game at Chesterfield on Saturday has been postponed, their second call-off in a row following the loss of the home fixture against Accrington Stanley on 4 January.

The club have signed 19-year-old forward Freddie Ingram from National League side Eastleigh following a trial and he will join the Under-21 squad.