Colchester United will kick off the 2018-19 League Two season with a trip to play Notts County on the opening day of the new campaign.

The U's will travel to play the Magpies at Meadow Lane on August 4 and will follow that up with a home game against Port Vale on August 11, after the EFL fixtures were announced this morning.

John McGreal's side will be on the road for much of the opening month, with three of their first four games away from home including the Carabao Cup tie at Cheltenham Town.

The U's also visit Mansfield Town on August 18, before following that up with home games against Crewe Alexandra (August 21) and Northampton Town (August 25) to round off the opening month.

Colchester will be pleased with their festive schedule, with a Boxing Day home clash against Stevenage followed by another game at the JobServe Community Stadium against Morecambe (December 29), followed by a trip to play Crawley Town, on New Year's Day.

The U's finish the season with a trip to play Lincoln City, on May 4.