PAUL Lambert wants his Colchester United side to pack a punch next season.

And the U’s players are set to go through the pain barrier this summer in order to do so.

Boss Lambert wants his team to play at a high tempo and is keen to see his team beef up over the coming weeks.

He is planning an intense period of training in May, before they depart for a short pre-season break in June.

The majority of work will take place off the field, with the players using weights to increase their strength.

The schedule is designed to ensure that Colchester will be able to go the distance, in Coca-Cola League One.

Lambert will work closely with U’s sports scientist David Carolan over the summer, in a bid to improve stamina levels.

And once the curtain has come down on Colchester’s season at Yeovil on Saturday, the hard work will begin in earnest for the next campaign.

Carolan told the Gazette: “After Saturday, we have 15 weeks to prepare the team for a promotion-winning season.

“One thing is very evident – we will be looking to push the bar up considerably.

“Paul wants to raise the intensity level.

“With that in mind, the players will be in training in May and we’ll be working hard to increase their physical capacity.

“Paul’s ideas are not only based around how the players play the game but also, how to cope with the demands of a long season.

“We are looking to go as far as we can in the cups, as well as winning promotion.

“That will mean us minimising injuries and maximising efforts on the pitch.

“It’s clear to see that he likes his side to play at a high tempo and we will have to be physically strong to survive the demands of the season.”