Colchester United have been dealt a major setback with winger Adrian Akande ruled out for up to three months.
The 21-year-old suffered a knee injury in training last week, cutting short what had been a promising start to life at the club.
Cowley Confirms Extent Of Blow
Akande, who joined the U’s as a free agent over the summer following his departure from Reading, has featured eight times this season. However, a collision during a finishing drill left him sidelined, with boss Danny Cowley confirming the scale of the problem.
“The bad news is he’s opened up his knee and we thought he was going to need an operation,” Cowley explained. “The good news is that he saw the surgeon yesterday and he doesn’t need to be operated on, so that is a positive. But we still anticipate maybe ten to 12 weeks, so that stung.”
Cowley described Akande as a “young player who’s trying to get better every day” and praised his “incredible attitude” despite the disappointment of the injury layoff.
Mixed News On Injury Front
While Akande’s absence is a significant setback, Colchester have received encouraging updates elsewhere in the squad. Captain Tom Flanagan is expected to return sooner than first feared after a calf issue, while Ellis Iandolo and Will Goodwin are both edging closer to action.
Flanagan’s injury, initially feared to be Achilles-related, has been diagnosed as a rupture of a small, largely redundant tendon in the calf, meaning he could be available again “very soon.” Meanwhile, Iandolo and Goodwin have both resumed ball work in training after lengthy layoffs, providing Cowley with further options as the season progresses.
Writer’s View
Akande’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, particularly as Colchester look to build momentum under Cowley. His energy and willingness to take on defenders had already made him a useful outlet, and losing him for three months limits attacking depth.
However, the simultaneous return of Flanagan, Iandolo and Goodwin provides a balance of optimism. If the U’s can navigate this period effectively, the squad could be significantly stronger by the turn of the year, with Akande’s eventual comeback adding another boost.
