John McGreal insists he is more interested in his Colchester United players’ fitness levels than any results they record in pre-season.

The U’s have registered three wins out of three in their friendlies so far and are yet to concede a goal, ahead of their latest warm-up match against a West Ham United XI tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm).

McGreal has been delighted to see the likes of Craig Slater, Denny Johnstone and Frankie Kent feature prominently so far, following their return from injuries that sidelined them in the second half of last season.

And the U’s head coach says the return of such players is more significant to him than results, in pre-season.

McGreal told the Daily Gazette: “It’s great for the boys to win games of football and getting into that mentality, because we gained momentum at the end of last season.

“But I’m more interested in minutes and getting the injured boys back than results in pre-season.

“Getting those minutes on board against Llandudno last Friday ticked a huge box.”

Colchester will be missing Luke Prosser again tomorrow night, when they take on a Hammers XI.

The U’s club captain is yet to feature in pre-season and saw a specialist last week about the knee injury which sidelined him for the final six months of the campaign.

Colchester are expecting to receive the results of that scan this week.

After facing a West Ham XI tomorrow night, Colchester make the short trip to play National League South side Braintree Town in another friendly on Saturday, before rounding off their pre-season with home games against Ipswich Town and Gillingham next week.