U's defender Paul Reid is making good progress from his knee injury sustained at Huddersfield Town back in March.

The combative centre half has been in the treatment room ever since fracturing his kneecap at the Galpharm Stadium, but is confident he will be ready for the start of the U's promotion push in 2009/10.

He told the Colchester Gazette: "The aim is to be fit for the start of the season. I have a lot of work to do over pre-season to make sure that I'm in decent shape.

"I've been able to start slow jogging and swimming now, although I can't do any intensive jogging at the moment.

"Since the injury, I've had very little to do with the other lads. "I've been working with Tony Flynn doing light work.

"He's had to put up with my bad moods and impatience! Tony and the other physios have been absolutely brilliant for me and so have the management."