Colchester United winger Kyel Reid, who has enjoyed a fine start to the season, is struggling with a hip injury.

Reid has caught the eye since his loan move from Coventry City, both in a left-wing back role and on the left wing.

He scored opener and set up the second in the U’s 5-1 win over Forest Green Rovers in their last home league match, and was again the U’s best player on the park during last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Cambridge.

However, Reid hobbled off just seven minutes into the second half at the Abbey Stadium.

Manager John McGreal revealed: “Kyel Reid is struggling with his hip flexor.

“He hadn’t trained all week, but he declared himself fit on Friday.

“We knew that it would be touch and go.

“We thought he would get through a good part of the game, but it was a bit of blow that he only lasted a little into the second half.

“That was a blow to us, and a blow to him,” added McGreal.

Brennan Dickenson, Kurtis Guthrie, Luke Prosser and Craig Slater are all the long-term injured list, while new recruit Ryan Inniss is out for two weeks with a knee injury.