COLCHESTER United head coach Steve Ball admits he has a 'big choice' to make ahead of this weekend's clash with Harrogate Town after Ben Stevenson returned from injury.

Stevenson has missed the U's last two games with a groin injury but trained fully today and is expected to be fit for the visit of in-form Town to the JobServe Community Stadium.

The former Coventry City playmaker has started the season impressively, for the U's.

However, skipper Harry Pell and goalscorer Noah Chilvers both impressed in the Colchester midfield in their 1-0 win over Forest Green Rovers, on Tuesday night.

Speaking at the U's pre-match press conference ahead of the Harrogate game, Ball said: “Ben trained fully on Thursday.

“The hope was that it wasn’t anything too serious and that’s come good.

“He’s only been out a week and he’s trained really well, so it’s obviously positive news.

“It’s nice to have decisions to make.

“Ben’s been great all season as we all know – he’s brought a different side to his game which is the work-rate side and physicality.

“But his undoubted quality on the ball has been there for all to see, so it’s a big choice to make on Saturday."

Colchester have received more good news on the injury front after midfielder Tom Lapslie returned to training.

The combative midfielder has not featured for the U's this season after undergoing knee surgery in the summer but is now edging closer to a comeback.

Ball said: “Tom is back in training and trained fully (on Thursday).

“It’s probably too soon for him this weekend in terms of match action but certainly he’ll be back in the next week or two, so these sort of things are nice problems to have."

Colchester have also been boosted by left-back Ryan Clampin's return to training.

The U's youngster is being lined up to play for the U's in the Professional Development League next week, after recovering from a knee injury.

Ball added: “Ryan is back training again and he’s making good progress.

“It was a nasty one with Ryan in that he shook up the ACL area so we have to be a bit careful about bringing him back.

“But he’ll be playing for the under-23s on Tuesday so he shouldn’t be too far away at all."