The former Stevenage and Blackpool attacker was a surprise absentee for the U's midweek game at the SMH Group Stadium, having developed swelling in his knee following his previous appearance.

Boss Danny Cowley says Colchester are unsure what caused the problem but is hopeful Lubala could recover in time for Saturday's trip to Northampton.

“We hope so,” said Cowley, when asked whether Lubala could return.

“He’s just got a little bit of swelling on the knee.

“We don’t know where it’s come from; he didn’t feel it in the game but the day after, it swelled.”

Lubala's absence added to Colchester's injury problems, with Teddy Bishop, Jack Payne, Harry Anderson and Kylian Kouassi also missing the Chesterfield clash.

Absent - Jack Payne has missed Colchester United's last two games due to an ankle injury (Image: Richard Blaxall)

And Cowley is not expecting any of those players to return against Northampton.

“I don’t anticipate us having anyone back,” he said.

“We’ll have to be ready to go again with what we’ve got.”

Despite being short-handed, the U's battled their way to a point at Chesterfield and Cowley was particularly pleased with the character his side showed after improving following the break.

“You only get a point but I feel really proud of the way we played in that second half, the courage and belief,” he said.

“We say it all the time – you have to kill us to beat us.

“I know that anything is possible and no matter what goes against you, I know that groups can achieve amazing things if you have courage and belief and a never-say-die attitude.

“For the young players, it will give them the belief that they can play at this level.

“The last thing I said to the players before the game was ‘believe you can win’.”

In charge - Colchester United boss Danny Cowley (Image: Richard Blaxall)

Cowley felt his side had been too passive during the opening period but was pleased with their response against a Chesterfield side who had been prolific on their own patch.

“In the first half, we were just too passive, particularly on our left but we managed to rectify that and in the second half, we played with a good energy and intensity,” he said.

“They’ll probably be disappointed that they haven’t taken some of their chances, for sure, but you also have to respect some of the saves that Timmy made and also, some of the emergency defending we did, too.

“That’s their jobs, that’s good play – bodies on the line.”

Cowley also praised the travelling Colchester supporters who backed his depleted side on Tuesday night.

“They know we’re up against it, at the minute because of the injuries and the way it is,” he said.

“They were right with us.

“After a hard day at work, it would have been easy to watch it on Sky but they didn’t – they came and they got behind the guys and they must have enjoyed Pez’s goal.”