Colchester United caretaker manager Joe Dunne has brought Phil Ifil and Matt Lockwood back into the squad for tonight's game with Gillingham.

The defensive pair, along with a number of other senior stars, were told they were no longer guaranteed first-team football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium by former boss Paul Lambert.

However, Lambert's departure has seen Dunne appointed in temporary charge.

And he confirmed that the likes of Ifil and Lockwood will be back in the fold tonight.

He said: “They will be part of the squad tonight.

“We need everyone coming together and to be involved."

Dunne will take charge of the U's for the first time tonight.

They take on his former club Gillingham at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

He has urged the Colchester players to stay focused on the task in hand.

“The day will take care of itself and we will look after what we’re doing," he said.

“Football can throw up shocks and surprises all the time.

“The game tonight is the focus.

“If you are a player and you are top of the league, you just want to play.

“We want them to stay focused on the task in hand.

“There will be a lot of opinions floating around at the moment.

“All I am focused on is the players and it’s a case of keeping them focused.

“My team talk tonight will be simply to stay at the top of the league.

“It’s ironic that we’re playing Gillingham, as I had a lot of good times there."