Colchester United head coach John McGreal admits striker Luke Norris is still playing catch-up after missing some of pre-season due to injury.

The 25-year-old, who joined the U's from League Two rivals Swindon Town for an undisclosed fee earlier this summer, was initially sidelined as he recovered from shoulder surgery that took place towards the end of last season.

And he was also briefly missing with a groin problem, prior to the start of the new campaign.

Norris has been an unused substitute in both of Colchester's League Two matches so far and is hoping to be involved in their Carabao Cup first-round tie at Cheltenham Town, tomorrow night.

McGreal said: “Luke is still playing catch up.

“He’s still doing his extra work but he’s in the squad and available for selection.

“We felt that he needed that 45 minutes (for the under-23s in a friendly against Wolves, last Monday) and then come and train with the rest of the lads, which is what he’s done.

“He still needs that extra work i.e. that’s why we’ve come with the three in Luke, Mika (Mandron) and Frank (Nouble) but also we’ve got Sammie Szmodics and Aaron Collins and players like that, so we have got a bit of potency there.”