Colchester United winger Ashley Vincent could be out until December after learning he needs an operation on his injured ankle.

The former Cheltenham Town man has been missing since picking up the injury in scoring the U's goal in their 1-1 draw at Swindon Town on September 12.

It had been hoped that Vincent would make a swift return.

But he suffered a setback in training and will now require an operation on the ankle, which could rule him out for up to eight weeks.

Colchester manager Aidy Boothroyd said: “We have discovered a little piece of floating bone in his ankle.

“It’s one of those injuries that you can either leave alone and hope that it doesn’t resurface or you can get it done and get it out of the way.

“Thankfully (physio) Tony Flynn has pursued it and found out what it is.

“He will go in for an operation and get it fixed and then we’ll see where we are in six to eight weeks time.

“It will be like a brand new player coming back."

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