Chris Porter is on the brink of a Colchester United return.

But the U’s skipper concedes he faces competition to force his way back into Tony Humes’ free-scoring team.

Porter is in line to be included in the Colchester squad for this weekend’s trip to play Swindon Town, after returning to full training this week.

The 31-year-old forward is hoping for a long-awaited comeback having been sidelined since injuring his ankle in the U’s opening-day draw with Blackpool.

Since Porter’s last appearance, Colchester have added striker Marvin Sordell to their squad while Macauley Bonne hit a hat-trick for the under-21s on Monday night.

The former Sheffield United striker admits it will not be easy to immediately force his way straight back into the U’s starting line-up.

Porter told the Daily Gazette: “There’s competition for places and that’s good, because it keeps people on their toes.

“I don’t think there’s one position in the squad now where there isn’t that competition.

“Everything is pointing in the right direction and we’re getting better and better with every game.

“Some of the goals that we’ve scored have been brilliant.

“We never seem to have a dull game and we’ve played some entertaining stuff.

“The squad’s as strong as it’s been since I’ve been at the club.

“And chatting to some of the other lads who have been here longer than me, they say the same.”

Porter admits it has been difficult watching from the sidelines, over the past six weeks.

But he has attended every U’s game this season, fulfilling his role as captain by helping the club’s youngsters.

“When I first did it, I didn’t think that I would be out for as long as I have been,” added Porter, who signed a one-year contract extension witht the U’s last month.

“Initially, I thought it would be three weeks but the specialist originally said six weeks and he was bang on with his estimate.

“It’s been frustrating and it’s been difficult to watch the team from the sidelines, especially being captain.

“I’ve been to every game since I got injured and I think that’s one of my responsibilities as a captain.

“The manager wants my input and I like to give some of the younger lads a few words of advice, both before and after matches.”

For a full preview of the U's game with Swindon, including interviews with Tony Humes and Kane Vincent-Young, see Friday's Daily Gazette.