COLCHESTER United will examine the full extent of skipper Connor Hall’s groin injury today.

The U’s centre-back was forced off with the injury in the first half of his side’s 3-1 win over Swindon Town at the JobServe Community Stadium, on Tuesday night.

Hall has started every league game for Colchester this season and they will be hoping that the former Port Vale defender’s injury is not a significant one, ahead of the home clash with bottom club Sutton United this weekend.

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Colchester interim head coach Matty Etherington said; “Connor felt his groin, just making a move for one of our corners or wide free-kicks.

"He had a scan yesterday (Wednesday) and it's still sore, at the minute.

"We're just waiting on the scan results.

"He had a previous groin injury when he was 19, 20 years old and he had to have surgery.

"He's got a lot of trust and faith in the surgeon and he's going to have a consolation with his surgeon as well, because he's been having quite a lot of stiffness and soreness in that area for a few weeks now.

"We've been trying to manage it as best we can with training loads, etc but it was just some movement from a corner, that's all it was but he's felt it and it's not looking good at the minute, I've got to be honest.

"But once we get the definite, final assessment, then we can move from there."

Gazette: Connor Hall

Colchester will be hoping Hall can shrug off the injury quickly, particularly after Nico Lawrence was ruled out for several months with a shoulder injury.

 

The on-loan Southampton centre-back recently returned to the U’s from parent club Southampton after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the 3-0 win at Gillingham, at the end of August.

READ MORE: Matty Etherington's verdict on Colchester's win over Swindon

However, Lawrence has now suffered a shoulder injury and has undergone surgery.

Meanwhile, Etherington is hoping three successive league wins will give Colchester’s players renewed belief.

Gazette:

The U’s have enjoyed improved form in League Two and ahead of the clash with Sutton on Saturday, their interim boss is keen for them to have confidence in their capability, as a team.

“I wish they’d start believing that they’re a talented group, I’ve got to be honest,” said Etherington.

“Myself, Dave (Huzzey), Scott (Marshall), we keep drumming it into them that we’ve got good players here for this level.

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“I don’t think they always believe it but hopefully the Swindon win will give them a little bit of confidence.

“There’s character in this group.

“They’re a tight group; maybe they’ve not shown that for the whole of this season but they’ve shown that against (Swindon), Grimsby and Accrington.”