Colchester United’s players will relish the chance to pit their wits against higher-league opponents after being drawn to play Reading in the Capital One Cup.

That’s the view of Kevin Watson, after two of his former clubs were drawn to play each other in the first round of this season’s competition.

The U’s will host Reading at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in August, following the cup draw.

Watson, who spent more than two years with the Royals before racking up more than 150 appearances for Colchester, says it is a good draw for both teams.

And the 41-year-old, who won promotion with both clubs, believes the U’s will be eager to show that they compete against a side from the second tier.

Watson said: “They are two old teams of mine and it’ll be an interesting tie.

“It’ll be tough for Reading coming down to Colchester, that’s for sure but I think it will be a good game.

“Being at home, it’s a chance for Colchester to go out and do well.

“And if they can kick off the league season well on the opening day, it will give them heart going into this tie.

“They’ll also want to show that they can compete against a Championship side.

“It’s human nature to lift yourself against higher opposition and everyone gives that little bit more.

“It’s a case of them showing that they want to be at that level, too.

“All of the boys in the Colchester United squad will feel that they are capable of playing in the Championship.

“It’ll be a test for Colchester but I’m sure that they’ll be looking forward to it.

“They stayed up on the final day of last season with a terrific performance against Preston and they will have taken a lot of heart from that.

“The way that Colchester played that day was a credit to both them and Tony Humes and it’ll only give them confidence.”

Watson was recently appointed as Teddy Sheringham’s assistant at Stevenage, who have been drawn to play Ipswich Town in the first round of the Capital One Cup.

“It’s a tough game but it’s an exciting one for us,” added Watson.

For all of the latest Colchester United news, including a two-page feature on the U's fixture list for the 2015-16 League One campaign, see the Daily Gazette.