COLCHESTER United's injury-plagued attacker Richard Garcia should be fully fit in time for next season, by which time the U's could be a Championship club.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United's injury-plagued attacker Richard Garcia should be fully fit in time for next season, by which time the U's could be a Championship club.

Garcia was ruled out for the rest of this season, after hyper-extending his knee during the LDV Vans Trophy southern area final first leg at Swansea City on March 7.

It was just the latest in a long line of injuries that has dogged the 24-year-old Australian since his move from West Ham in September, 2004.

There were fears that Garcia had damaged cruciate ligaments, but that was ruled out following a minor exploratory operation this week.

Instead, the talented striker has a meniscus (cartilage) tear in his knee, which should mean just four to six weeks on the sidelines rather than half-a-year.

Garcia, who scored eight goals in 31 appearances during this campaign, should therefore be fighting fit for pre-season in the build-up to next term.

He said last night: “It's great news. Now I have a target of getting ready for the start of next season.

“I had the knee checked out, and there's no cruciate damage, which is a relief because that would have put me out until October.

“Now I can get fit for pre-season, and hopefully the club might even be in the Championship by then.

“However, we have two tough games ahead of us, and I will be at Layer Road to cheer on the lads against Rotherham this weekend,” confirmed Garcia.

Garcia has scored some crucial goals this season, including a brace when coming on as a substitute to beat Port Vale 2-1 in January, and another brace to beat Bradford City 3-1 just a fortnight later.