COLCHESTER United have been handed a triple defensive boost ahead of the clash with Morecambe this weekend.

Fiacre Kelleher is set to return to the U's squad for the League Two match at the Globe Arena, having missed the club's last five games because of a knee injury.

Colchester head coach Danny Cowley said: “Kells has had a clean week, on the grass.

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“He’s available for selection on Saturday, which is good."

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Ben Goodliffe is now firing on all cylinders again, having been disrupted last week by issues related to the facial injury suffered in Colchester's opening-day defeat at AFC Wimbledon.

The former Sutton United defender was an unused substitute against Bromley, last weekend.

“Ben has had a lot cleaner week, which is good for him and really important for him," said Cowley.

“He had a really nasty facial injury and initially had a brace and then a gum shield that was fitted around the brace but now the brace has come off, because the teeth are a little sturdier.

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“But now the gum shield has to be refitted to protect the teeth and these are all of the challenges that we’ve had.

“He’s had a clean week and trained well and we know the qualities that Ben will bring, when we need him."

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Colchester will also have Aaron Donnelly available, after he missed their 1-1 draw against Bromley last weekend due to being away on international duty with Northern Ireland under-21s.

The Nottingham Forest youngster, who is on loan to the U's until the end of the season, has been representing his country in their Uefa Under-21 Championship qualifiers.

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Cowley added: “Aaron is back today having played against England last Friday and Ukraine, on Tuesday.

“He played two 90s, so he part trained today because he played Tuesday and travelled on Wednesday."