Colchester United head coach John McGreal says his captain Luke Prosser has been a 'huge figure' for them this season - both on and off the pitch.

The 29-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, returned from a 14-month injury lay-off in January, having missed a large chunk of the League Two campaign.

Prosser has started 11 games in the current campaign for the U's after returning from a long-term knee injury and has produced some impressive performances in that time.

And with just three matches remaining for Colchester this season, boss McGreal says the defender's absence earlier in the campaign was a big disappointment.

McGreal said: “Luke is a huge figure for us and we’ve missed him for over three-quarters of a season, even if he plays in our remaining games.

“Credit to the likes of Frankie (Kent) and Ryan Inniss who have come in but Tom Eastman has also been a mainstay.

“There’s competition in that area and I think that has helped, because for some unknown reason we get injuries in that position.

“But Luke has taken that captaincy role on terrifically well, not only on the pitch but also with what he does for the football club outside it in the community.

“Even when he was out injured, he was at all of the games and the away games, too.

“It’s great to have him back and when you have a captain like that, the boys do sit up and listen to him.

"That’s what I want from a captain.

“That’s why I changed it when I first took over, just to throw something else in there a bit different from what they had under Tony Humes and Kevin Keen, a couple of years ago."