Colchester United’s terrible luck with injuries, to centre-halves, has plumbed new depths.

The U’s beat Barnet 2-1 on Saturday, to move to within two points of the League Two play-off zone, but at a cost after centre-backs Frankie Kent and Lloyd Doyley were both injury casualties inside the first 20 minutes, Kent being stretchered off with a serious-looking ankle injury.

Now it has been revealed that key centre-half Tom Eastman is sidelined for the season, after damaging his ankle during the previous weekend’s 1-1 draw at Blackpool.

McGreal confirmed: “Tom (Eastman) is out for the season.

“He has got a rupture, so you are talking about a similar injury to (Lewis) Kinsella, out for three months.

“We took Tom for a scan on Wednesday, after trying to let the swelling go down, and it’s not good news for Tom, or for ourselves.

“He’s got a rupture in the back ligaments of his ankle, so he is going to be looking at going in for an operation.

So that’s Tom more-or-less out for the season, unless he has a real quick recovery, but it doesn’t look too hopeful to be honest.

“You’re talking about three months, at least.

“It’s a huge blow for Tom, and for the club. In fact, it’s uncanny how many centre-halves have been getting injured at this football club, having earlier in the season also lost Luke Prosser for the season.

“It is in the 95th minute (at Blackpool) when Tom went up for a header, competed well but just landed awkwardly.

“It’s unfortunate for him, because he’s been a big player for us this year,” added McGreal.