WALKER STAYING POSITIVE

OPTIMISM abounds at the start of a new season, but Colchester goalkeeper Sam Walker was brought back to earth with a bump after suffering a potentially season-ending injury.

Walker will undergo an operation after being stretchered off with a suspected ruptured cruciate ligament in their Capital One Cup loss to Reading in midweek, but the 23year-old is staying upbeat.

“I’m very focused and positive for the weeks and months to come and I’ll come back fitter and stronger,” said the stopper.

“This is my fifth season in the professional game and I’ve not really missed much football.”