COLCHESTER United boss Hayden Mullins insists he is facing a 'good predicament' ahead of his side's home clash with Crawley Town tomorrow.

The U's are preparing to play their first home game in League Two for more than a month, on the back of an impressive 3-2 triumph at Barrow.

Mullins has plenty of attacking options to choose from, with the U's head coach happy with the 'bright sparks' he has at his disposal.

Freddie Sears, Frank Nouble, Luke Hannant and Alan Judge all started at Barrow, with Noah Chilvers coming off the bench and loan duo Sylvester Jasper and Armando Dobra unused substitutes.

Although he has some tough decisions to make, Mullins says he is glad to have a selection dilemma ahead of the game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Mullins said: "It's definitely a good predicament to be in, with the attacking talent we've got.

"There are a number of options and a number of ways we can go.

"It's a good predicament but it's trying to put together a team that's going to be attacking and one that's going to win the game on Saturday.

"There's some real bright sparks in there with energy and athleticism and we're happy with where the squad is at the moment.

"It's really good to see training sessions at the moment where everyone is at it and it's a good place at the moment.

"We can't forget the hard work out of possession and the mileage that the boys put in is first class.

"That helps us earn the right to do what we do at the top of the pitch.

"The attackers especially Freddie (Sears) are getting their goals but it's through hard work - that's the bit I'll promote and long may it continue.

"The kind of work rate that the likes of Freddie and Luke Hannant and big Noubs put in has got to be the standard that we look to replicate in every game.

"We have to try and earn the right to impact the game as well as we want to.

"It's good for the younger lads to see the work that those players put in up top - if they can do it, I'm sure the younger lads in the squad can as well.

"It was a bit backs to the walls against Barrow so we wanted to go a bit more defensive minded.

"I'm sure they understand that and it's different games and different formations and different team selections, suited for what kind of opposition we come up against.

"But we still want to set up and be as strong as we can be; we want teams to be worrying about us but we also have one eye on who we're playing against.

"All of the boys understand; it's tough at times not playing and being left out and coming back in but I'm sure they all know that they'll get the chance at some point.

"It's different games and different formations."

Colchester return home tomorrow after three successive away games, where they collected an impressive seven points out of a possible nine.

The U's have drawn one and lost one of their first two league games at the Community Stadium and boss Mullins wants his side to secure their first home league victory of the season.

Mullins said: “It’s worked out that we’ve had three away trips now on the spin, in the league.

“It could have gone the other way for us but fortunately, it’s worked out OK.

“I think we’ve done well in the three games we’ve had but it’s definitely nice to come back home, in front of our fans.

"I think we owe our fans a performance really. "I think the Mansfield game, we did well coming back into it in the second half. "We had a bit of a stop-start performance that night; we didn't start very well and we finished it quite strongly.

"It was similar against Northampton as well.

"We finished the game much the stronger and we definitely should have got a point out of the Northampton game as well.

"We owe them a performance and we'll be looking to put it right, on Saturday."

Tom Eastman is set to return to Colchester's starting line-up against Crawley, with whom he spent a month on loan in the 2011-12 season.

The long-serving defender, who came off the bench to head the U's winner at Barrow, is set to replace Luke Chambers who serves a one-match ban following his dismissal at Holker Street.

Mullins added: "Easty is such a good pro and such a good option to have in that area.

"He came on last Friday and slotted right in there.

"He did really well and was exactly what we needed.

"He was a calm head - there were a lot of balls to be headed away and he slotted in fantastically well."