LUKE Norris has been backed to recapture his goalscoring form for Colchester United.

The 25-year-old is fully fit again after being sidelined from mid-January with an ankle injury suffered in training.

Norris, who was an unused substitute for Colchester's 3-0 win over Cheltenham Town last weekend, is currently the U's second highest scorer this season with eight goals.

And having hit seven goals in his first nine appearances for the club, U's boss John McGreal believes the former Swindon Town striker can go on a similar run of form, between now and the end of the season.

McGreal said: “He’s ready to start, if selected.

“He’s a goal threat straight away and we want to get that early-season form from him when he does get back into the team.

“He’ll be ready and able, if called upon.

“He was in a rich vein of form with eight goals in 13 appearances and that’s very good, in any standard of football.

“To try and get that back after the injury that he had was always going to be tough.

“The boys were on a bit of a run so he didn’t get the opportunities that he was getting in the early part of the season.

“He’s had another little forced break with his ankle again but he’s fighting fit again.

“He’s a goalscorer – he’s proved that already and there’s no doubt that given opportunities, he’ll continue to score goals.”

Meanwhile, boss McGreal has praised in-form left-back Kane Vincent-Young ahead of the clash with Macclesfield Town this weekend.

The 22-year-old, who has scored twice in as many games for the club, is set to make his 100th league appearance for the U's at Moss Rose.

“It’s brilliant for Kane – the goals he’s scored have been really good," said McGreal.

“There was obviously interest in him in the summer but we really made an effort to keep him.

“When big clubs come in, we don’t want to stand in anyone’s way but we always made it clear to him we wanted him to stay.

“He’s got a wide range of roles to perform and he can play full-back on both sides and wing-back on both sides.

“He’s also added goals to his game and he’s a bubbly character this week to say the least, after the last couple of games.

“He’s been the mainstay in his position and credit to him."