COLCHESTER United head coach Danny Cowley says John-Kymani Gordon was taken off as a precaution after the forward limped out of their friendly win over Maldon and Tiptree this afternoon.

Gordon, who joined the U's from Crystal Palace last month, was forced off midway through the first half of the U's 2-0 victory at Park Drive, after suffering a dead leg.

Cowley said: "I think it's just a dead leg.

READ MORE: Colchester United beat Maldon and Tiptree in first friendly

"I think the boy just comes through and catches him behind the knee.

"For us, it's not to take an risks at this time of pre-season and it was precautionary.

"He was bright; it wasn't the easiest pitch to dribble on and for him to beat his opponents and the pitch, he did really well."

Second-half goals from Frankie Edwards and Bradley Ihionvien secured Colchester victory over their Pitching In Isthmian League division north opponents Maldon and Tiptree.

(Image: NEWSQUEST)

The U's fielded different sides in each half, with many of their new signings featuring.

"For us, the first pre-season game is all about physical returns," added Cowley.

"We got a good 45 minutes out of everybody and we did a little bit of work after, with some running and strength work.

"It was beneficial, not to read too much in it technically and tactically.

"The pitch was difficult, hence the reason we protected three or four like Lyle and Samson and Ben Goodliffe; we just didn't think the pitch was right for them.

READ MORE: Summer signings set to feature in U's first pre-season game

"They will all train and play against Wycombe next Saturday.

"It was a good exercise - a win and a clean sheet and we're really thankful to Maldon and Tiptree, who are a club close to our heart.

"The first half team got good control of the game and worked the Maldon team pretty hard.

"Maldon kept the same team and it was hard for them to come out and our team in the second half played with a lot of pace and a lot of power.

"In the second half, we had eight players aged 21 or under so that bodes well for the future."

Colchester's next pre-season friendly is a behind-closed-doors match at Matt Bloomfield's Wycombe Wanderers, next Saturday.