Josh Thompson has only played 25 minutes of competitive action this season, but he is not ready to write off the campaign just yet.

In fact, Colchester United’s injury-plagued centre-half has just resumed light training, and hopes to be knocking on the first-team door again within the next month or so.

Luckless Thompson injured his ankle in training, on the eve of the U’s away game against Coventry (played at Northampton) on September 8.

At first, he thought it was a strain, but in the end he required an operation and therefore several months of rehabilitation.

“It’s been a very frustrating season for me, to say the least, but I’m finally on the way back,” revealed Thompson.

“I started running again two weeks ago, and am now doing light work in training. I’ve picked it up a bit, over the last couple of days, with some sprints and multi-directional stuff. The ankle feels good.

“I did have to an injection, three weeks ago, to remove some fluid and inflammation in the ankle, which meant I had to stay off it for a few days.

“But now I’m just waiting to get the all-clear to start full training, hopefully within the next couple of weeks,” added Thompson.

Ex-Celtic and Portsmouth defender Thompson began this season on the bench, as a back-up centre-half to Tom Eastman and Magnus Okuonghae.

After six games as an unused substitute, he finally got on the pitch as a 65th minute substitute in the 4-1 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge, in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round game on September 3.

But just three days later and he sustained the worst injury of his career.

“It’s been a long haul, the best part of five months, but this is the first serious injury I’ve had, and you have to expect one or two as a professional footballer. You would be naive if you thought any different,” continued Thompson.

“I had rolled my ankle a few times before, and when I did it the last time, I just thought it was sprain. But the injury didn’t get any better, so I went for a scan and then an operation.

“I effectively couldn’t do anything for six weeks after the operation, which I had in early October. The ankle was in a cast for the first two weeks, and then I was on crutches with a heavy boot on the foot.

“It’s all been very frustrating, but now my aim is to salvage something out of this season.

“I want to get back to fitness as soon as possible, although I know that will take time because of the length of time I have been out.

“The aim is to be in a position to do a job for the team, later this season, but I’m not looking too far ahead.

“I’m just taking it day-by-day, and week-by-week,” added 22-year-old Thompson.

The U’s next fixture is at home to manager-less Shrewsbury Town tomorrow evening.