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Colchester United’s injured players making good progress
Kurtis Guthrie scores to give the U's the lead against Hartlepool last February, his last league start due to long-term injury. Picture: STEVE WALLE - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
The imminent return of both Kurtis Guthrie and Sean Murray, and the continued progress of fellow injury victims Luke Prosser and Brennan Dickenson, should be an exciting prospect for all Colchester United fans.
In the face of adversity, with such a long list of crocked players, the U’s have managed to break into the top half of the League Two table, and so are in a good position to mount a promotion push with a fitter and stronger squad during the second half of the campaign.
Midfielder Murray, after five weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury, which required surgery, is a contender for a place on the substitutes’ bench against Exeter City today.
So too is striker Kurtis Guthrie, who has only played a matter of a few minutes since damaging his ankle last February, an injury which also required surgery.
Caution is the watch-word for striker Guthrie, who broke down during his failed earlier comeback attempt a few weeks ago.
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But all of a sudden, the U’s look to have strength in depth.
“It’s good to have Sean Murray back, in and around it, in training, and Kurtis Guthrie getting 45 minutes the other night,” explained McGreal. Guthrie played for the U’s under-23s against Newcastle United on Monday evening.
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McGreal continued: “The two-week break has given those injured boys an extra couple of weeks to get them back into the first-team training environment”
“Kurtis was hopeful of training on Tuesday, after his 45 minutes on Monday, but we pulled him out because we thought it might be a little bit too much, too soon.
“But Kurtis trained on Thursday with the squad. He didn’t play against Swansea under-23s (Thursday evening),so that he could keep training with the first team.
“We are a bit more wary after his recent setback, and what he went through. Hopefully he’s got through that stage.
“Sean (Murray) is an option this weekend, although Doug (Loft) is still a few weeks away, with his shoulder. It’s too soon for him.
“Luke (Prosser) has been training with the first team this week, having started with the under-23s, though obviously he’s not close top playing games yet.
“Meanwhile, a February return is still the aim for Dicko (Dickenson). He’s been pencilled in for then,” added McGreal.
