Colchester United hopeful trio will return for MK Dons clash

Harry Anderson and Lyle Taylor are both close to returning to the squad, after missing the U's opening two games due to injury.

And defender Ben Goodliffe has returned to training, following the horror facial injury he suffered at AFC Wimbledon, last weekend.

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Summer signing Taylor missed Colchester's first two games with a calf injury, while winger Anderson has been eased back gently following the hamstring problem he suffered at the end of last season.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley said: “We’re hopeful that they’re both available for the weekend.

“Lyle just picked up a really innocuous low level calf strain on the eve of the Wimbledon game.

“It kind of knocked us really, because we lost both him and Bradley (Ihionvien) in that week.

(Image: Adam Davy/PA)

“Bradley made it but Lyle, we had to be more sensible with.

“We had to be quite gradual with Harry.

“I think whenever players have quite serious soft tissue injuries, with hamstrings and quads in particular, if you do tear those they’re such powerful muscles and you obviously use them so much as a football you have to be quite gradual.

“We’ve been wrapping him up in cotton wool.

“I know he’s been frustrated because Harry’s one of those boys you have to hold back and I love that."

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Goodliffe has returned to training following his sickening facial injury, where he suffered two fractures to the gums and badly damaged four teeth.

The former Sutton United has had to eat through a straw this week but is desperate to return to action.

“Ben trained for the first time today (Thursday), which is really good news," added Cowley.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“We’re waiting for the gumshield to be fitted.

“Hopefully then, all being well, we’ll be able to progress.

“Credit to him as a boy, because he’s about as tough as they come."