COLCHESTER United midfielder David Perkins could miss the last six games of the season with the hamstring injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

“We don’t know the total extent of the damage, but it certainly seems severe,” said manager John Ward.

“I’m reluctant to say he’ll miss the last six games just yet because it could heal, but that may turn out to be the case.”

Perkins put in a transfer request under the management of Aidy Boothroyd due to the fact he wanted to move back up north and was loaned out to League Two clubs Stockport and Chesterfield in 2009/10.

Ward managed to persuade him to give it another try in Essex when he took over last summer and has made Perkins a key player this season.

The energetic midfielder has maintained a good level of consistency over his 41 appearances to put himself among the contenders for U’s Player of the Season.

He is due to be out-of-contract this summer, with Ward having revealed that the blond-haired player will be offered a new deal.