Scares that Colchester United striker Jason Dozzell could miss the start of the new Second Division season were played down by U's boss Mick Wadsworth today.

The former Spurs and Ipswich star is struggling to shrug off a stomach injury, but Wadsworth said it was too early to tell if he would miss the start of the season.

"Jason does have a stomach strain," said the U's chief. "But he did report for training today which is obviously an encouraging sign. If it is a hernia he will clearly have to have surgery, but we are not facing that prospect at this moment in time."

Wadsworth said new team captain Warren Aspinall was back in training today after missing the last two weeks with a stomach strain.

The U's boss also scotched rumours that former Spurs goalkeeper Simon Brown has joined Colchester permanently on a free transfer.

"Brown is a free agent," said Wadsworth, "But he is currently playing for us on a month-to-month basis."

Meanwhile, former Arsenal wingback Mark Flatts, who played for the U's in last night's 2-2 pre-season friendly draw at Wisbech Town's Fenland Park, has been invited to train with the Layer Road club for the next week.

Youth team striker KK Oparah, who made his Football League debut in the U's final game of last season, scored one of the goals at Wisbech with Frenchman Thomas Pinault adding the other.

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