Colchester United winger Ashley Vincent is not expecting to make a first-team return for the League One high-flyers until the New Year.

He is struggling to win his fitness battle following an ankle operation that was required after he injured himself scoring against Swindon Town in September and the 24-year-old former Cheltenham man's rehabilitation is likely to continue beyond Christmas.

Since the operation, his surgeon found further damage, hence the prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Speaking to Daily Gazette, he said: "It is slow going unfortunately.

"At the start, I thought it was a simple operation, but the surgeon found a few bits in there that he wasn't happy with.

"However, that's football and if the boys are doing well then that's great."