Colchester United winger Brennan Dickenson is set for a two-week lay-off after undergoing a scan on his hamstring injury.

The left-sided player, who has made a big impact for the U’s since arriving from Gillingham in the summer, missed their 1-1 draw at Crawley Town and had been only fit enough for a place on the bench for his side’s 2-1 home loss against Accrington Stanley, last weekend.

Dickenson, who was shortlisted for the League Two Player of the Month award for August, is now set to sit out Colchester’s forthcoming league games against Carlisle United and Newport County, along with their Checkatrade Trophy group game against Southampton under-23s, next Tuesday.

Colchester head coach John McGreal said: “Brennan had a scan and we’re talking a couple of weeks.

“He had a tight hamstring but wanted to play against Accrington.”

McGreal said Dickenson’s lay-off gives Dion Sembie-Ferris to push for game time, after the youngster made a positive impact in the closing stages of their game at Crawley.

Sembie-Ferris has made three league appearances for the U’s so far this season, all from the bench.

“Dion’s been unfortunate not to have been in and around the bench more, with the bodies that we’ve had,” added McGreal.

“But with Brennan now being out for a couple of weeks, Dion is the next in line.

“We know that he has bundles of pace, he’s direct and he looks like he’s put in a little bit of work in the gym.”