Kurtis Guthrie is still not quite ready to return to the Colchester United first-team fold.
Front-runner Guthrie, signed from Forest Green Rovers last summer, netted 12 goals in an impressive first season with the U’s, from 33 league outings.
But the 24-year-old was sidelined by an ankle injury in March, which required an operation and ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Guthrie was hoping to be back for the start of his second campaign with the League Two U’s, but he looks like missing the first few games, at least in terms of starting matches.
Boss John McGreal revealed: “Kurtis (Guthrie) has got another week of strengthening.
“Once this week is over, Kurtis should be back, but that’s why it was vital to strengthen in that centre forward area (striker Mikael Mandron signed from Wigan last week).
“So once Kurtis is back fit, it will be competitive for those striker positions,” added McGreal.
The U’s entertain Ipswich Town in a pre-season friendly this evening.
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