Brennan Dickenson, Colchester United’s player-of-the-year last season, does not expect to be back in competitive action until February, at the earliest.

Dickenson underwent surgery this summer, after suffering a serious knee injury in training last April.

The 24-year-old, who had an outstanding first season with the U’s, both as a left winger and left wing-back, is unlikely to feature until the last couple of months of the campaign.

Dickenson, who netted 12 goals in 36 league appearances during 2016-17, following his arrival from Gillingham, remains upbeat despite last season’s cruciate injury, and the coming months on the sidelines.

“It’s been progressing well so far,” revealed Dickenson.

“It’s seven weeks post-op now, and I’ve been doing really well. The physio is happy with the progress so far, and I’m happy as well. I’m in a good place.

“I had the operation on May 24, and have been doing all the right things. The pain has pretty much gone now, so I’m just looking to step thing up.

“The swelling was quite bad after surgery, but that has all gone now.

“We are working month-by-month, just slowly progressing, depending on how the body feels as well.

“We are looking at the end of February time for when I am back fully fit, and ready to play again.

“I should be jogging and running within the next three-and-a-half-months, so not too long. It will be good to even just run around, and kick a football again.

“I’m still a young man, but it’s just a shame the injury happened when it did, because I was playing the best football of my career. It was a sickener to get that.

“But I hope to come back stronger. I have got time on my side, and it’s nice to know I have good support behind me,” added Dickinson, who was a transfer target of several clubs last January, including Ipswich Town.

Meanwhile, the U’s will host their first pre-season friendly of the summer tonight, when a West Ham XI visit the Weston Homes Community Stadium (7.45pm).

John McGreal’s have won all three of their pre-season games to date, away at Maldon & Tiptree, Needham Market and Welsh club Llandudno.