David Fox is yet to train this week, because of a leg injury, although the Colchester United midfielder is hoping to be fit to play at his old club Barnsley this evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

Fox was outstanding in the U’s last outing, a 6-3 win at Gosport Borough in the FA Cup, and he will be looking to impose himself on another key League One game against the improving Tykes.

“I hope to be all right for Friday. Unfortunately, the dead leg has stopped me training all week,” revealed Fox.

“But I hope to shake it off. It’s not ideal, because I was just getting into the swing of things after missing so much football. But I hope to be passed fit.”

Fox spent time on loan at Barnsley last season, moving to Oakwell on an intended three-month spell from Norwich City.

The 30-year-old played seven games on the trot, before his stay was cut short by a bout of mumps.

“I enjoyed my spell at Barnsley, although it was a bit of a turbulent time,” recalled Fox.

“I think I had three different managers there, and the club wasn’t in the best position at the time. But there’s some good people up there, and a few of those lads are still there.

“They are a big club, and it’s important for the people in the town, being in the same area as the two Sheffield clubs and also Leeds. Barnsley are a big club in their own right.

“They are trying to get back to where they were, in terms of the Championship, so we know it will be a big test for us.

“It was good to put right the below-par performance against Port Vale (2-1 home defeat), with a good display in the FA Cup. We needed that boost, to get through to the next round, and our attitude that day shone out.

“Now it’s important that we get back on track, in the league. We have been on a good run of late, if you take the Port Vale result out of it. We want to get another run going,” added Fox.

Barnsley thumped League Two high-fliers Burton Albion 5-0 in the FA Cup last weekend, and won away at Sheffield United in their last league outing.

Elliott Hewitt, who returned to the U’s on a second one-month loan deal from Ipswich Town yesterday, looks set to go straight back into the side at Oakwell, in the right-back role.