Colchester United head coach John McGreal admits their extensive injury list cannot be used as an excuse for their disappointing run of form.

The U’s currently have a host of players in the treatment room, including Tom Lapslie, Owen Garvan and Doug Loft.

Colchester were also missing skipper Luke Prosser (suspension) and Glen Kamara (international duty) for their home game against bottom club Newport County last weekend, which ended in a frustrating goal-less draw.

However, boss McGreal says the number of players they are currently missing cannot be used as a reason for recent results, which has seen them go six matches without a win in all competitions.

McGreal said: “The injuries can’t be used as an excuse – we had 11 versus 11 out there with the subs.

“Injuries are part and parcel of the game – yes, they are important players that are out but it gives other boys the opportunity to come in and do well.

“I though Alex Wynter came in and did terrifically well.”

All but one of Colchester’s substitutes against Newport were academy players, with Cameron James and Dion Sembie-Ferris both appearing as second-half substitutes.

McGreal says he is happy to use his younger personnel, if and when required.

“Cameron came on and if we have to tap into the under-21s, we’ll do that,” said the U’s boss.

“If you look at the quality that we’ve got with Tariq Issa the other night (against Southampton under-23s) who was unfortunate not to be on the bench (against Newport), we have got that quality.

“We might not have that experience but hopefully the fans can give them a lot of belief and they can step forward and be good and big players for us, this season.

“The bench shows the strength we have with the boys coming through; you’d like to have your bigger boys back too but that’s the position that we’re in at the moment and we’re not going to complain about it.

“We’re just going to move forward and work hard on the training ground to get our rewards on the football pitch.”

After an intense period which has seen them play five games in the space of 15 days, Colchester now have a full week to prepare for their trip to play second-placed Doncaster Rovers, this weekend.

The U’s are hoping Brennan Dickenson will return to full training, this week.

McGreal added: “That’s a bonus, because that gives a chance to assess the injuries that we have and see what we’ve got in the middle of the week and then try and go into the Doncaster game with a clean bill of health.”