COLCHESTER United are facing an anxious wait on the fitness of midfielder Arthur Read after he suffered a painful injury in their win over Tranmere Rovers.
Read had to be substituted in the 72nd minute of the U’s 2-0 victory at the JobServe Community Stadium, after taking a blow to his left wrist in a challenge.
The 23-year-old, who has been in fine form for Colchester so far this season, is set to undergo an X-ray to determine the full extent of the injury.
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And the U’s will be hoping that the ailment will not sideline Read, who supplied the excellent pass that led to Joe Taylor opening the scoring against Tranmere.
Colchester head coach Ben Garner said: “It’s his hand or wrist – he went to push the player and he’s felt something there.
“Fingers crossed, it’s nothing serious and we’ll have to wait and see.
“We’ll have to get an X-ray and see how it is and obviously, we’re praying it’s nothing serious.”
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Meanwhile, Garner is backing Fiacre Kelleher to come back stronger after he suffered another injury blow.
The popular centre-back is facing another spell on the sidelines after suffering an innocuous groin injury in training.
Kelleher has only recently returned from a frustrating calf injury which kept him out for the majority of pre-season and led to the former Bradford City defender sitting out Colchester’s opening four league and cup matches of the season.
“Kells has got a groin injury, which is frustrating particularly for him,” said Garner.
“He’s come back in and done so, so well and it’s very disappointing.
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“We’ll get round him in that recovery time.
“He’s going to have to go through a rehab process and come back in.
“It was an innocuous one in training.
“He was in a 1v1 situation and as he stretched, his foot just gave way a little bit and it just opened his groin up.
“It’s not one that we can do anything about; it’s just unfortunate.
“But as I’ve said previously, he’s an outstanding professional and a great character and he’ll come back stronger again.”
Colchester are back in action on Saturday when they host Mansfield Town, at the JobServe Community Stadium.
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