COLCHESTER United skipper Harry Pell is likely to be out for between 'seven to ten days' with a groin injury.

The U's midfielder has missed his side's last two League Two matches and is set for a little longer on the sidelines, as he attempts to get back to full fitness.

Pell is set to miss Colchester's EFL Trophy game against West Ham United under-21s tomorrow night, along with their home clash with Oldham Athletic, on Saturday.

However, the former Charlton Athletic youngster will be hoping he will be back in the running to return for the U's trip to play Walsall, on October 10.

Colchester head coach Steve Ball revealed that Pell was desperate to make the long trip to Barrow with the rest of the squad last weekend - but that the U's were taking no chances with his injury.

Ball said: “It was a real shame, with Harry.

“He trained on Thursday, had a slight reaction to it and three and four games in, I’m not going to start gambling with Harry Pell.

“He was desperately keen to travel and he wanted to stay in the hotel (on Friday night) and have a test (on the morning of the match).

“But I just think groin injuries are so delicate and I don’t want to gamble with it.

“Hopefully, Harry will be between seven to ten days."

Colchester lie eighth in League Two after an unbeaten start to the new campaign.

They played out a 1-1 draw with Barrow last weekend, their second successive away draw following their goal-less affair at Bradford City, on the opening day of the campaign.

“You have to be robust and relentless in this league, I’ve said it so many times," added Ball.

“It is that and we have to have that side too.

“People will see as an attractive, dynamic and pacy team.

“But we have a strong back four, a strong goalkeeper and the base of our midfield is good.

“We have to keep understanding that away from home it’s a different game.

“I can expect a bit more quality at times on the counter and I thought we had moments in the first half but I thought we looked really strong."