Colchester United are sweating on the fitness of four players ahead of the Boxing Day showdown at Gillingham.

U's boss Steve Whitton - who has been suffering from a virus all week - has major doubts over Lomana Tresor Lua Lua, Karl Duguid, Joe Keith and Andy Arnott.

It means the U's chief could be without five of his best players for the long-awaited clash against Peter Taylor's promotion hopefuls.

Neck victim Richard Wilkins has already been ruled out until the end of January and Whitton's squad is suddenly looking thin on the ground.

U's striker Lua Lua, rated in the £1m bracket at Layer Road, has been suffering from an Achilles problem and is a major worry for the Christmas period.

The seven-goal striker has not trained all week and his absence from the U's squad would be a huge blow.

Duguid is still recovering from the kidney problems but he has a chance of making Sunday's match at Priestfield.

Wing-back Keith has missed training because of a virus and former Brighton midfielder Arnott (groin) has only just returned to full training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

It's a major headache for Whitton who is hoping to build on last Friday's 3-0 win over Luton Town.

He said: "There's nothing more disruptive to your plans than having problems with injuries to key players. I am hopeful all those on the treatment table will recover in time but you never know how things will develop between now and Boxing Day.

"Arnott, for instance, has only just got back into full training and is nowhere near being match fit.

"He has been out for a long time but I am hopeful he will pull through enough to make it on to the bench on Sunday."

The U's boss also revealed he is still in contract negotiations with midfielder Gavin Johnson.

Johnson has agreed another month's contract at Layer Road and Whitton is trying to put a package together to tempt the former Ipswich Town player to sign a long-term deal.

The U's boss has also tabled an offer to Greene and the club are waiting to hear back from the former Eire Under 21 international.

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