Colchester United boss Tony Humes insists he will not make any “knee-jerk reactions” after skipper Magnus Okuonghae was ruled out for four games.

The U’s have decided against appealling Okuonghae’s red card for serious foul play in their 2-0 triumph at Leyton Orient, last weekend.

Okuonghae, who was also dismissed in Colchester’s Capital One Cup defeat at Charlton Athletic last weekend, will now serve a four-match suspension.

The powerful defender will miss the U’s home clash with Sheffield United tonight, along with forthcoming matches against Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra and Preston North End.

U’s boss Humes confirmed he is assessing his loan options - but stressed he will not rush into signing a replacement.

He said: “We’ve not done anything on that front.

“It’s something we’ll look at and we’re aware of players available but there won’t be any knee-jerk reactions.”

Colchester’s teenage defender Frankie Kent is set to make his first-ever senior home start against Sheffield United, in Okuonghae’s absence.

“I have no qualms about Frankie being in there,” said Humes.

“He’s shown that he can handle it and we have to give him an opportunity to progress in the modern game.

“He looked really composed out there (against Leyton Orient) and he’s going to learn by being put in these situations.”

Humes takes charge of Colchester for the first time at the Weston Homes Community Stadium tonight, after presiding over two away games.

He said: “I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s great to be coming into it on the back of a victory on Saturday.

“With the result we had last weekend, we’ll go into the game in a positive frame of mind.

“Sheffield United are promotion candidates - they’re a big club and they were in the top-two divisions for a long time.

“They’re in good form but we won’t be fazed by the prospect of playing them and our players are in good fettle.”

George Moncur is expected to shrug off a minor knee injury to be fit but Jabo Ibehre and Drey Wright both remain sidelined with knee injuries.

For a three-page preview of Colchester's game against Sheffield United, including interviews with Frankie Kent and Ben Gordon, see Tuesday's Daily Gazette.