Ben Perry has returned to action for Colchester United after a cruciate ligament injury sidelined him for nearly 14 months. The 21-year-old midfielder made his comeback last month, featuring for the under-21s and in the Jersey Mike's Trophy.
Perry suffered the injury during Colchester's 2-0 win at Shrewsbury Town in August 2025, which was only his fourth competitive match for the club after joining from Nottingham Forest. His journey back included a 45-minute outing for the under-21s at Coventry City and a run-out against Peterborough United in the Trophy.
"It felt amazing to be back out there," Perry said. He believes the lengthy rehabilitation has had a positive impact on his mindset. "It’s definitely made me a lot stronger mentally," he added.
His return comes as Colchester prepare to face Luton Town in the Jersey Mike's Trophy this weekend, offering another potential opportunity for match minutes. The U's are currently 15th in League Two, having taken 10 points from their opening eight games. Their most recent result was a 2-2 draw away at Shrewsbury, a ground where Perry's injury nightmare began.
That draw forms part of a recent run of three draws and two losses in their last five league matches, a sequence fans can review on the club's standings page. The team's next challenge is a home league fixture against Port Vale, who sit 23rd, and supporters can check the full schedule on our fixtures list.
Perry's availability adds a fresh option to the midfield as Colchester look to improve on their current position and build some winning momentum. The club's squad depth, including returning players like Perry, is detailed on the official squad page. His continued involvement will be monitored closely as he aims to regain full match sharpness and contribute to the first-team campaign.
This story first appeared at gazette-news.co.uk
