Colchester United manager Mick Wadsworth said he was "in the dark" today about a Football League handout that will benefit the club by an extra £60,000 this season.

But with the new Second Division season just three days away and his new-look squad facing an injury crisis, it appears unlikely that Wadsworth will be handed any of the cash to bring in a replacement.

"It's the First I've heard of it," said the U's boss.

"I know nothing about any Football League money, so I can't really comment."

The U's will receive between £350,000 and £400,000 this season in the annual cash bonanza revealed by the League today.

The amount signifies an extra £60,000 on last year's figure in the League's announcement that all 72 of its clubs will receive extra funding from central coffers this season.

First Division clubs, such as Ipswich Town, will receive 15 per cent more funding than last season, Second Division teams will get a further 20 per cent and Third Division clubs will benefit by an extra 30 per cent - a vital rise in income from £210,000 to £270,000 each year.

Meanwhile, Wadsworth said he has no plans to recall record signing Neil Gregory from his three-month loan period with North American League side Boston Bulldogs if strikers Lomana Tresor Lua Lua and Jamie Moralee fail to shrug off the injuries that are threatening to rule them out of Saturday's big kick-off at Chesterfield.

He said: "It looks as though Jamie is definitely out, but Lomana is looking brighter and I'm hoping he will be fit."

A young U's XI drew 1-1 with the Antiguan Under-19 international side. KK Opara scored the U's goal.

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