News: McLeod Undergoes Op

Colchester`s winger Kevin McLeod has undergone surgery on an enduring groin injury but is anticipated to be back in action before the end of the season, eligible probably for the away game against Hull City next month, at the soonest.

His place in the team could be under threat from Rob Davies, whose on-going trial from West Brom is now two reserve games old; he found the net against Ipswich Town for the second string this week.

Meanwhile, Jamie Cureton, also make the Championship team of the week following his superb brace against former club Southampton last Friday.

Good news for the U`s youth team prospect Medi Elito regarding his long-term future in East Anglia. He has not been offered a contract by Manchester United, according to youth boss Joe Dunne: "The lads have been reading the newspapers in the dressing room and nicknaming him Giggsy for the day," Dunne told the East Anglian Daily Times earlier in the month.

"It's all been very light-hearted. That's the kind of kid Elito is, nothing fazes him.

'He's a great character to have about the place and he's told me himself that he wants to stay with us at Colchester.

'We all know that he's got terrific potential. He's not going to go off and train with Manchester United this week.

"The only reason he would go is if a club bought him, and that's not an invitation!

"I suppose any publicity is good publicity, but Medi is not taking the attention too seriously. I would say that he's going to wear the blue-and-white of Colchester United. He's not going anywhere.'

Colchester`s women XI also received recent boost. United ladies, leaders of the South East Combination League, grabbed a late win over Enfield, while their nearest challengers, Northampton Town and Rushden & Diamonds both succumbed to defeat, leaving them on course for a promotion to the female version of the Premiership.

As for Robbie King and Gary Richards, both United`s players have extended loans, at Heybridge Swifts and Brenford respectively, where they have been seeing plenty of first-team football.

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