Colchester United have suffered an injury blow after striker Marvin Sordell was ruled out for up to three weeks with an ankle injury.

Sordell, who joined the U’s on a free transfer from Championship club Burnley last September, is set for a spell on the sidelines having battled on with the injury over recent weeks.

Sordell’s injury lay-off was confirmed earlier this week - after the January transfer window closed for business.

U’s boss Kevin Keen says strike pair Elliot Lee and Macauley Bonne will step up their quest for a starting place with captain Chris Porter, as the club continues its League One survival battle.

Keen said: “Marvin Sordell is out for two to three weeks with an ankle problem.

“It has been ongoing for a while and we’ve tried to manage it, but it’s come to breaking point so we’ve had to do something about it.

“It’s frustrating that it came a couple of days after deadline day but you have to take it on the chin.

“Now Macauley Bonne and Elliot Lee are the ones you look at – the young boys coming through.”

Keen said it is possible that he may bring in reinforcements in the loan window, which opens next week.

For a four-page preview of Colchester United's Essex derby with Southend United, see Friday's Daily Gazette.