COLCHESTER United make the trip to play Walsall on Saturday.

And Danny Cowley is hoping that he will be able to add experienced forward Tom Hopper to his squad, ahead of the game at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

Hopper missed Colchester's 3-0 win over Tranmere Rovers last weekend with a groin problem but has now returned to training.

READ MORE: Colchester United mourn the loss of their former winger

Colchester boss Danny Cowley said: "He trained on the grass today (Thursday) which is good.

"He had an injection - it's something he had this time last year actually, before we arrived.

"It allowed it to settle and Tom is such a high loader in terms of his work rate, whether it's in the games or in training.

"He's always at the top of the GPS, whether it's volume, high speed and that's the kind of player he is.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

"Once you have the injection, the Cortisone just needs to crystallize so it's able to work in a localised area, rather than if you train after having the injection, the nature of blood flow can disperse crystals rather than target the area the you want it to target.

“We’re hopeful Hops will be available for Saturday as we know what he brings the team.

“He’s such an honest, hard-working player.

“He’s someone who’s done very well for us over a period of time now."

READ MORE: Competitive squad key for Danny Cowley ahead of Walsall trip

Colchester are also hoping to welcome winger Harry Anderson back in their squad for the game at Walsall.

Anderson suffered a low level abductor strain in the early stages of the U's Bristol Street Motors Trophy group win over MK Dons, earlier this month.

Cowley said: "Harry's good news.

"He's back in training - we'll see for Saturday but if he's not available then, he should be available next week."

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Milton Oni is set to undergo surgery on Saturday on his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, suffered during Colchester's game against Brentford in the Carabao Cup second round.

The 18-year-old midfielder will have surgery to reconstruct the ACL, with the graft harvested from the midfielder's quadricep tendon.