Colchester United defender Fiacre Kelleher sidelined by injury

The 27-year-old centre-back, who joined the U's last January from Bradford City, sustained the injury in training last week and is facing a number of weeks on the sidelines.

Kelleher missed Colchester's friendly matches at Ebbsfleet United at the weekend and is now working hard to return to fitness, with the new campaign kicking off on August 5.

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Colchester head coach Ben Garner said: "It was a really innocuous one to be honest and a really frustrating one, certainly for him.

"Unfortunately, it's probably going to be a few weeks.

"He's bitterly disappointed because of the type of character that he is.

"But I know he'll be back as quickly as he possibly can, because he'll do everything right.

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"He'll be up morning, noon and night and anything possible, to get himself back fit.

"We'll support him in that and get him back as quickly as we possibly can."

Kelleher was a regular in Colchester's starting line-up in the second half of last season, after joining them from Bradford.

The former Celtic youngster made 20 league appearances for the U's, scoring twice and played his part in helping them stay in League Two.

Colchester will be hoping he will return for the start of the new season, which begins with a home game against Swindon Town on August 5.

The U's continue their preparations for the new campaign with a trip to play League One new boys Stevenage, tomorrow night.

The friendly match will take place at St Neots Town FC, due to Stevenage's Lamex Stadium pitch not yet being ready following summer refurbishment work.

The match kicks off at 7.30pm.