COLCHESTER United assistant manager Joe Dunne hopes that Jamie Guy will enjoy a new lease of life, once the luckless striker recovers fully from his terrible leg injury.

COLCHESTER United assistant manager Joe Dunne hopes that Jamie Guy will enjoy a new lease of life, once the luckless striker recovers fully from his terrible leg injury.

The U’s take on Essex neighbours Braintree Town in a benefit match for Iron striker Guy at Cressing Road this evening (7.45pm), with Guy planning to kick off the game.

Current U’s assistant boss Dunne, who was the youth team manager when Guy was progressing through the youth ranks at previous HQ Layer Road, has been instrumental in setting up tonight’s benefit match.

Dunne said: “It will be a big occasion for Jamie. Having seen his injury up close, you would not wish that on anyone.

“He was fantastic for me in the youth team and the Reserves, and hopefully he has the potential to go on again.

“He is making good progress, and we all wish him well,” added Dunne.

Powerful front-runner Guy, who spent six years at Colchester between 2004 and 2010, is making good progress following a double open fracture of his tibia and fibula, sustained while playing for Braintree at Eastleigh in February.

Although it was initially feared that Guy might have trouble walking properly again, due to the seriousness of the injury, the 23-year-old is defying the odds by making rapid strides in his rehabilitation programme.

Barking-born Guy chalked up 52 league appearances for the U’s, although 50 of these were as a substitute with just two starts. He eventually left in January, 2010, playing for Grays Athletic for a few months before joining Braintree the following summer.

While the Iron powered to the Conference South title last term, Guy endured a nightmarish campaign blighted by injuries, culminating in the double leg fracture caused by a collision with Eastleigh keeper Gareth Barfoot.

Guy, who celebrates his 24th birthday next week, will watch tonight’s friendly from the sidelines after ceremoniously kicking off the game.

Admission is �10 for adults and �5 for OAPs and under-16s.

Meanwhile, a Colchester United XI will play at Woodbridge Town tomorrow night (7pm). The U’s have also added another friendly to their schedule, at Whitton United on Wednesday, July 27, the night after their home game against Ipswich Town.