Kem Izzet has handed Colchester United boss Joe Dunne a big boost.

The long-serving midfielder, who has been sidelined for the last six weeks with a troublesome hip injury, has returned to training.

Izzet is yet to start a game under Dunne and has been hindered by the problem all season.

But a second scan revealed that the injury has improved and Izzet trained with the U’s development squad at Florence Park yesterday.

The Colchester skipper is now hoping that he will be able to soon return to first-team action and lead the U’s into battle again.

Izzet said: “The scan came back showing that the injury is better, even though it’s not fully gone.

“It was a big improvement on what was shown on the first scan."

See the Daily Gazette for all of the latest Colchester United news.