Sean Murray says the arrival of five new signings on transfer deadline day can have a “massive” impact on Colchester United’s season.

The U’s bolstered their squad by making a number of additions last week and head coach John McGreal has hinted some of their new boys could feature in their home clash with Crawley Town, this weekend.

Nicke Kabamba and Brandon Comley are both pushing for starts against the Red Devils, while Sanmi Odelusi and Brandon Hanlan were also drafted in by Colchester.

Defender Ryan Inniss has also been snapped up by the U’s on loan from Crystal Palace but is sidelined with a knee problem.

Midfielder Murray believes having a bigger squad to compete in League Two can only be a positive thing.

Murray told the Daily Gazette: “I think the five signings we’ve made and the competition for places is massive, especially in League Two with so many games.

“Players can’t play every game and there are injuries.

“You need to fight for your place and games like the Cambridge one will have a big impact on the manager, if you’re not performing.

“It can only be a good thing for those who are playing and also those who aren’t, who are hungry to get on the pitch.”

Colchester will be looking for a response against Crawley following their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United, last weekend.

The U’s lie 20th in the table, after Uche Ikpeazu’s strike condemned them to a third straight away defeat.

“It’s a big week of training for us,” said former Watford midfielder Murray.

“The players will be at it wanting to keep their places and those who didn’t play at Cambridge will want to be playing this weekend, so we’ll see what happens.

“I think we’re going to have to have a chat about our away form as a group and look at the reasons why.

“Hopefully, with a few meetings and training sessions we’ll realise where we’re going wrong and change things.

“The away record isn’t weighing on my mind personally – it’s just another game.

“We go out to try and get the three points and I always feel positive before a game so I’m not sure what it is.

“We didn’t create enough chances (against Cambridge).

“We had limited opportunities but the ones we did create, we needed to put away.”