Gavin Massey faces a long spell on the sidelines, after aggravating a hamstring injury.

Winger Massey returned to Colchester United’s squad as a second-half substitute during last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Bradford City.

But the ex-Watford man has suffered a reaction, and so will now be out of action for up to a month.

Manager Joe Dunne confirmed this morning: “Gavin (Massey) is not ready to play against Crawley this weekend.

“Unfortunately, the injury is worse than we thought.

“After coming on (at Bradford), and playing with the intensity that Gavin played at for 20 minutes, he just felt his hamstring again.

“We just thought, we will be back in the same situation.

“So we had a closer look at his hamstring, and he will be out for four weeks.”

Fellow winger Sanchez Watt will also miss out again, due to a quad problem, although he is targeting a return at Bristol City on Saturday week.

Front-runner Freddie Sears looks set to start from the bench, against visiting Crawley – he is still not 100% fit due to a groin injury – while centre-half Josh Thompson is still sidelined with a twisted ankle.