Jackson to miss U's final two matches

By Carl Marston

A CRESTFALLEN Johnnie Jackson will not figure in either of Colchester United's last two games of the season, as the U's make a late dash for the play-offs.

Jackson hobbled off with an ankle injury during the first-half of last Saturday's exhilarating 3-1 victory over Sunderland, and he spent the start of this week on crutches.

The former Tottenham midfielder will miss the U's visit to play-off rivals Stoke City tomorrow, and the following weekend's home match against Crystal Palace. But the 24-year-old has not given up hope of making a dramatic return, if Geraint Williams' men sneak into the play-offs.

“It's a real blow for me to miss out. Just when I was beginning to play well, and get a regular place in the team, this happens. But that's football,” said Jackson last night.

“I'm gutted. I had a scan on the ankle, which revealed a partial tear of one of the ligaments. There's a bad sprain, and there's been a lot of swelling. I just have to wait for that to go down.

“I spent a couple of days on crutches, but I'm now walking around again. I won't be able to play in the final two games, and I won't be rushing things unless we get in the play-offs.

“However, I think we have a good chance of making the top six, if we can win our last two games. If that happened, then I would reassess the situation and try a bit harder to get back,” added Jackson.

Camden-born Jackson finally found a regular place in the U's team on the left flank, and scored a couple of goals in the defeats by West Brom and Derby. But just as he was looking forward to helping the U's in their play-off bid he fell awkwardly on his ankle against Sunderland.

Hogan Ephraim replaced him against the Black Cats, and the West Ham loanee could well keep his place from the start at Stoke, especially as he set up Richard Garcia for the all-important second goal. Kevin McLeod is another option on the left flank.