We're getting stronger.

Colchester United skipper Karl Duguid has warned the club's Coca-Cola Championship rivals that the U's have no intention of easing up, despite taking the division by storm.

As they approach the midway point in the season, Colchester currently occupy eighth position after going unbeaten in their last four matches, hitting the net 11 times in the process.

As a result, competition for places in the starting line-up has heated up considerably. The return of key players such as Richard Garcia and Kevin Watson from injury have provided their team-mates with an extra stimulus to succeed, according to Duguid.

He told the Evening Gazette: "The squad is looking very strong.

"Richard (Garcia) was electric when he came on against Crystal Palace and he's the type of player that we have on the bench.

"Kevin McLeod and Jamie Guy didn't even come on against Palace.

"You've also got Hogan (Ephraim) from West Ham, who has been brilliant in training and in the reserves, who wasn't even a substitute on Saturday."

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