Colchester United manager Paul Lambert has been left scratching his head over the situation

The U's boss told the Colchester Evening Gazette:  "It's a long way to go and just sit on the bench.

"For the club, it's not great. But you try and see it from both angles.

"You try and be diplomatic about it but it's not ideal for Chris Coyne or for Colchester United."

Colchester skipper Coyne missed his side's 1-0 midweek  loss against Tranmere Rovers as a result of being in Japan with the Socceroos.

Lambert, a former Scottish international and Celtic legend, also cited the sentiments of his Hoops counterpart Gordon Strachan who saw his Australian striker Scott McDonald fly to Yokohama as well, only to also go unused in Japan.

"I think they (Australia) have done it with Scott McDonald too.

"I heard Gordon Strachan talking about it and he wasn't too happy," said Lambert.

Coyne has struggled with injury since the turn of the year and has been linked with Perth Glory, the club where his brother Jamie is skipper.