LUKE Norris has made a ‘terrific recovery’ from his ankle injury after the striker returned to Colchester United’s squad ahead of schedule.

That is the view of U’s boss John McGreal, who feels the club’s joint leading scorer’s early return has added to competition for places in the forward department.

Norris got back to action as a second-half substitute in Colchester’s 1-0 win over Macclesfield Town last weekend, having spent a month on the sidelines after injuring his ankle against Swindon Town at the start of last month.

The 25-year-old, who has eight goals to his name so far this season, replaced goalscorer Mikael Mandron with 14 minutes to go against the Silkmen, to end his five-match lay-off.

McGreal said: “Luke’s been training – we’ve been a little bit wary of it and we were thinking about the under-23s game coming up (against Coventry City under-23s tonight).

“But we asked Luke if he was ready to go and he said yes.

“He’s beaten all the records coming back and it’s a terrific recovery for him.

“He hasn’t missed as many games as we thought he would have.

“It gives us that extra competition in that forward area and he’s our joint leading goalscorer.

“Mika has certainly stepped up to the plate knowing Luke was on the bench.”

Meanwhile, defender Tom Eastman is recovering well after his eye socket injury.

The long-serving centre-back has not featured since suffering the injury in the opening minute of the U’s 1-0 loss at Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup first round, on November 10.

Eastman has continued training throughout his injury lay-off but has not been heading the ball.

Speaking after the Macclesfield win, McGreal said: “Easty should be in and around it if not next week then definitely the week after.”

Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin, who also went off injured in the Accrington game last month, was back on the bench for Colchester against Macclesfield.

The former Watford shot-stopper has missed the U’s last four games after initially suffering a hamstring injury and then experiencing a small issue with his Achilles.

McGreal added: “Rene’s had two training sessions (last) week.

“He was fine with his hamstring but then he had a slight Achilles problem straight after that.”