Colchester United head coach John McGreal says his entire squad will be competing for a place in his starting line-up over pre-season.

The U’s play their first friendly of the summer when they make the short trip to play Bostik League division north outfit Maldon and Tiptree this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

The majority of Colchester’s squad are likely to play 45 minutes at Park Drive, with a number of players returning from long-term injuries but Kurtis Guthrie and Luke Prosser will not feature.

McGreal admits he will have some decisions to make with little more than a month to go until the start of the new League Two campaign.

And with players impressing in the final weeks of last season, the U’s boss says it is up to everyone to stake a claim to start their curtain-raiser at Accrington Stanley, on August 5.

McGreal said: “I think it’s possibly a clean slate for the players to try and earn a place in the side for the Accrington game.

“It depends on what happens with other boys and what we might bring in.

“But some of these boys have earned a bit of a reputation before they got injured, not only outside the club but also within it and amongst the fans, as well.”

New signings Ryan Jackson and Rene Gilmartin are set to feature for Colchester for the first time at Maldon, after joining them this summer.

Colchester will wear their brand new away kit for the first time at Maldon.