By James Browning

Colchester United boss John McGreal feels the way he has handled his squad this season has benefitted players individually as well as collectively, as the end of the season draws closer.

The former Ipswich Town defender is about to see out his second season as manager of the club and his side are still in with a chance of finishing in a play-off place in League Two.

The U’s have seen injuries affect their squad quite heavily this season, but McGreal feels his players have stepped up to a good standard when called upon.

He said: “It’s tough (to keep everyone happy), but we have had to make changes because of injuries and that’s the crux of things at the minute.

“We know the boys that will come inwill do a good job and that’s all we can ask of them.

“We threw down a gauntlet a few months back and said that if you do get an opportunity, stake a claim for your position and I think I’ve been true to my word in that.”

The U’s head coach named the same starting eleven in the recent win over Luton Town as he had in the previous game against Stevenage, but was forced to change his winning formula against Forest Green Rovers on bank holiday Monday.

He said: When we did have to change things on Monday, Brandon (Comley) and Courtney (Senior) came in and did a terrific job.”

The pair were both heavily involved as substitutes in the win over Luton, before being called on to start in Monday’s victory against Forest Green. McGreal was impressed with their performances, He said: “After coming into the heat of the game against Luton, with all the furore of them being top of the league, they did great to go in and perform as they did on Monday.”

The U’s boss accept injuries are part and parcel of a long season.

He said: We’re no different to any other football team, especially over the Easter period and players are on heavy pitches.

“I’m sure other teams have the same dilemmas, but we’re waiting for last minute decisions to be made on the fitness of the boys. “ Balancing comeback times with the needs of the squad and the starting eleven is no easy task for any manager, but McGreal feels that he’s found that balance of late.

He said: “With Ben (Stevenson), he had a hamstring injury a couple of weeks back, so we had to take him out and look after him.

“He’s not our player - at other times you try and push your own players through, but he’s potentially a Premier League player next season.

“So, we want good relations with Wolves as well and we felt we had to take him out and look after his hamstring, and put him in at the right time.”

Stevenson,who is on loan from Wolves, scored the winning goal against Forest Green Rovers and is set to play his part against Accrington again tomorrow. He is not the only player to have benefitted from careful management.

McGreal said: “It was the same with (Luke) Prosser.

“We felt we had to take him out at the time and at this moment in time taking them out and resting them up and getting them fully fit has proven a good decision.”