Steve Whitton has been dealt two further injury and illness setbacks ahead of Colchester United's Second Division trip to Luton Town.

Andy Arnott has been ruled out with a groin problem while Ross Johnson, still waiting to kick his first ball in anger this season after a serious foot injury, has picked up a viral infection.

The defender was looking forward to his first involvement of the campaign but had to leave training early yesterday (Wednesday).

U's boss Whitton is still hopeful that Johnson - suffering from the same bug which has made Simon Clark a doubt - will recover in time for the trip to Kenilworth Road.

He said: "These injury and illness problems have certainly put a bit of a dent in our squad but I'm hopeful Ross will be well enough to be involved.

"He was very ill at training yesterday so it's touch and go at the moment whether he'll improve in time for Saturday. We've still got two days to go before the match.

"It is a worry when two players are affected by the same infection, especially in the kind of environment we've got where you have 30 people in the same dressing room.

"The positive way to look at the situation is that some younger players may get the chance to step up and be involved."

Whitton will definitely be without defender Alan White and striker Tony Lock for the trip to Bedfordshire. The pair are serving one and seven-match suspensions respectively.

Steve McGavin has not trained this week after being laid low with tonsillitis while full-back Joe Keith is also doubtful after having his tonsils out a fortnight ago.

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