Magnus Okuonghae has said his troublesome ankle problem has made him hungrier than ever to play for Colchester United.

The powerful U’s defender has been sidelined for the last two-and-a-half months with the injury.

He has not featured for Colchester since they beat Hartlepool United 3-2 in League One, last November.

However, Okuonghae has taken part in pre-match warm-up exercises with the rest of the U’s squad, in their last two matches.

The 24-year-old centre-back is a week into a ten-day trial period set by his specialist, to see how he responds to training.

And according to Okuonghae, the signs are promising.

He told the Gazette: “It’s a case of so far, so good.

“The ankle’s a little bit sore and stiff after training but the specialist said that would be the case.

“It’s been the worse injury problem I’ve had and it’s been very frustrating.

“I’ve been training on my own and working with (sports scientist) Dave Carolan and (physio) Tony Flynn.

“But all it does is make me hungrier to get back."

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, along with a chance to win tickets to see the U's play Walsall later this month, see Tuesday's Gazette.