I want U’s back – Colchester hope Jackson can return

Colchester will check on the fitness of defender Ryan Jackson ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two match with Salford.

The U’s returned to competitive action on Tuesday, after a 10-day break, and suffered a 2-1 loss at home to Stevenage in the Leasing.com Trophy.

A negative for boss John McGreal was when right-back Jackson limped off during the first half with a foot injury, which was initially troubling him during the 1-1 draw at Cheltenham on November 23.

He is set to miss this weekend’s home clash, but experienced goalkeeper Dean Gerken will return in place of Ethan Ross after he was rested in midweek.

Salford manager Graham Alexander will recall a number of players after watching his side progress into the Leasing.com Trophy third round with a 3-0 win over Wolves Under-21s.

Goalkeeper Chris Neal, defenders Ibou Touray and Nathan Pond and forward Adam Rooney are set to return to the starting XI in Essex.

Attacker Luke Armstrong struck a brace on Tuesday – his first goals since the beginning of October – and will hope to follow that up at Colchester.

Alexander said on salfordcity.co.uk: “I’m delighted for Luke to get a brace, he works exceptionally hard on the training pitch, he works exceptionally hard in games – possibly too much sometimes, you want to calm him down a little bit and just do his bit for the team, not try and do everything.”