Colchester United manager Joe Dunne has revealed that defender Josh Thompson requires surgery on an ankle injury that he picked up earlier in the season.

Thompson has been restricted to just one appearance during this campaign, and despite insisting that the defender has made progress, Dunne has admitted that surgery looks the only option to correct the problem.

The 40-year-old told BBC Essex: "Josh had been making some progress but the ankle is still very sore.

"He underwent further investigation and on seeing the specialist, it was agreed that he would need an operation."

The 22-year-old signed a deal with the League One outfit at the start of the season after being released by Portsmouth.