COLCHESTER United are hoping to welcome players back into their squad for tomorrow night's clash with Rochdale.

Tom Eastman, Ryan Clampin and Cole Skuse all missed the U's 2-1 win at Oldham Athletic, last weekend.

Defensive duo Eastman and Clampin suffered hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, in the draw with Mansfield Town.

And midfielder Skuse missed the trip to Boundary Park after tweaking his groin in training, last Thursday.

However, Eastman trained with the rest of the U's squad at the JobServe Community Stadium, on Wednesday.

Clampin is also on the mend, while Skuse was due to train today as Colchester prepared for their game at the Crown Oil Arena.

Colchester head coach Hayden Mullins said: “Cole’s been in with the physios this week nursing it and we’re trying to get him back to full fitness.

“We’ve lost key players, Eastman, Skuse, Clampin and people like that and we’ve adjusted.

“It’s fantastic to see the squad and the players calling on people and they’re ready to go – you can bring someone in at the moment and it looks like they’ve been in for a while, so it’s good.

“Young Gene Kennedy came on towards the end of the game and helped settle us down, which is good.

“He’s a young lad who’s come into the midfield; we were under a little bit of pressure but we took the sting out of the game.

“I’ve got confidence in Gene and he’s a good player.

“Getting Cole back will give us more reinforcement in that area and getting Easty back will give us more reinforcement again.

“I’m happy with the way the squad is working at the moment and the application from the players has been first class."

Gazette:

Mullins (pictured above) says the mood within the Colchester squad is very good, as they look to make it back-to-back wins on the road.

The U's have taken four points from a possible six in their last two League Two games against Oldham and Mansfield Town.

“Over the last couple of weeks especially, it’s felt a really good place," added Mullins.

“We had a feel before the Oldham game that we were ready.

“Sometimes I like to have a chat with the players just before they go out, just a few more pointers and reminders about what we’re doing as a side.

“I felt I didn’t really need to say much and the dressing room was a really good place.

“It was vibrant, it was loud and it was just about letting them go out and play.

“There wasn’t too much that we needed to say and it felt a really good place."