Injured Mbick praised by Cowley as season ends early

Colchester United boss Danny Cowley has hailed Micah Mbick as the best centre forward he has worked with after the loanee's season came to a premature end.

The 19-year-old was stretchered off during last Saturday's 2-1 win at Newport County after a tackle Cowley described as "crazy".

"The damage done to his knee as a consequence is pretty severe - we're pretty angry about it, but the overriding feeling is just sadness for Micah," he told BBC Essex.

"I've managed 17 years and he's the best (number) nine we've ever worked with. He's incredible, so talented."

A specialist has advised against an operation at this stage, but Mbick will have to wear a knee brace for the next 12 weeks.

"There is damage to the ACL and PCL and I think there's damage to the medial ligament and lateral ligament as well," said Cowley.

"Normally when you do the PCL, the posterior cruciate, it's in car crashes or rugby players, it's that front-on, high velocity impact. The fact he's picked one up playing football is quite unique and shows you the ferociousness of the tackle.

"We all feared the worst but had some positive news on Wednesday. His season is finished but hopefully it might not need surgery which would be great because that would mean he'll get back ready for pre-season."

Mbick will now return to parent club Charlton and leaves Colchester 12th in the League Two table.

Colchester are also waiting for advice from a specialist on defender Harvey Araujo, who is on loan from Fulham but suffered a fractured cheekbone against Chesterfield on 3 March.

A club statement said: "Due to the swelling still prevalent in Harvey's cheek, it isn't 100% certain what surgical intervention might be needed, or whether the central defender will appear in any of the U's remaining 11 matches."

One piece of good news for the club is that midfielder Jack Payne has been named League Two player of the month for February.

He scored four goals in their five games in the month, including a hat-trick - his second of the season - in a 4-1 home win against Barnet.