Colchester United have been forced to recall winger Oscar Thorn from his loan at Chelmsford City as the team deals with a mounting injury list following their recent home defeat to Cheltenham Town.
The recall comes as manager Danny Cowley faces the challenge of an already depleted squad, with several key players now sidelined.
Thorn, who had joined Chelmsford in late August, made five appearances for the National League South side but will now be available for Colchester as they prepare for their upcoming fixture against Chesterfield.
Colchester United’s Injury Struggles Continue
The U’s 2-1 loss to Cheltenham marked their second home defeat of the season and left them languishing in 20th place in League Two. Despite dominating much of the match, Colchester once again failed to convert their chances into points. Jordan Thomas’ double for Cheltenham proved too much for Colchester to overcome, even though Lyle Taylor managed to find the net with an equaliser midway through the first half.
Manager Danny Cowley, who had spoken before the match about the need to turn positive performances into victories, saw his side struggle once again despite their efforts. The U’s created 20 attempts on goal and controlled possession, but their inability to finish chances was their undoing. Cheltenham’s clinical performance now puts them above Colchester in the table.
Colchester have secured just two wins in their 11 league games so far, a disappointing return for a side hoping to distance themselves from the relegation zone after narrowly avoiding the drop last season. The club’s injury problems only add to their concerns as they continue to face difficulties on the pitch.
Thorn Recalled as Tovide Joins Lengthy Injury List
Samson Tovide’s injury during the Cheltenham match is the latest blow to Colchester, as he provided the assist for Taylor’s goal before being forced off. His departure adds to a growing list of absentees that includes Anthony Scully, Owura Edwards, and Teddy Bishop, leaving the team short of attacking options.
Cowley reflected on the impact of Tovide’s injury after the game, highlighting how crucial the young forward had been to their setup.
“We find a good goal but lose Samson (Tovide), which was a huge loss to us when you already have Owura (Edwards), Anthony Scully, and Teddy Bishop unavailable. This summer, we sold a lot of athleticism and a lot of pace – Jayden Fevrier, Jay Mingi, Brad Ihionvien. Losing Samson and Owura hurt the team. It looked like we lost our way after Samson went off,” Cowley told Gazette News.
The injuries have led to the decision to recall Thorn from his loan at Chelmsford, a move confirmed by the Essex club on social media. Thorn, who has yet to make his debut at this level, will now have the chance to prove himself in the EFL with Colchester. He could be thrust straight into action in the crucial midweek match against Chesterfield.
Our View
Colchester’s injury problems are beginning to pile up at a worrying time in their season. While they have shown flashes of quality, the inability to consistently turn performances into points is becoming a major issue. With several key players sidelined, recalling Oscar Thorn is a necessary move, but whether the young winger can make an impact remains to be seen. If the injury crisis continues, Colchester could find themselves in an increasingly precarious position in League Two, and they may need to look for reinforcements in the coming weeks.
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