COLCHESTER United have received one blow, and perhaps even two, on the eve of this weekend’s League One test at Doncaster Rovers.

Left-back Dan Potts has been recalled by his parent club West Ham, following his loan stint with the U’s, ahead of the Hammers’ FA Cup tie against Manchester United this Saturday.

Meanwhile, centre-half Josh Thompson might not be able to feature at Doncaster.

Thompson was sent off during the Boxing Day defeat against Brentford, and was expected to serve his one-match suspension at Crawley Town on New Year’s Day.

But it has since come to light that Thompson, who was initially on loan from Portsmouth before signing a permanent deal when the transfer window re-opened on January 1, might not have officially been a U’s player when Joe Dunne’s men played at Crawley, due to a hold-up with the paperwork.

So Thompson might have to sit out the match at the Keepmoat.

The Essex club are waiting for clarification on this issue tomorrow morning, but as it stands Thompson will be named in the squad set to travel to south Yorkshire tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Potts has returned to West Ham following five appearances for the U’s, all which ended in defeats.

“The gaffer (Joe Dunne) and the lads have been great to me, and I have definitely gained a lot of experience from it,” said Potts this morning, with reference to his stay at Colchester.