"It was just an innocuous tackle in training on Friday and it's just opened up his knee, they are always hard to say but I would imagine he's out for 10 to 12 weeks."

Left-back Iandolo played 50 times for the U's in the 2024-25 campaign.

Cowley also had an update on the future of last season's top scorer Lyle Taylor.

"I think we are hopefully moving closer to getting something agreed," he said.

"Lyle is injured himself, from the injury that he did last year. We really missed him at the back end of last season.

"He is now in the final stages of his rehab and we are hoping he is going to be back on the grass at the end of this week.

"We're really hopeful we can get something which is agreeable for all parties."

Colchester kick off their League Two campaign at home to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, 2 August.

You can listen to a full interview with Colchester boss Danny Cowley on BBC Sounds here.