Colchester United boss Matt Bloomfield preparing for Barrow clash

But the U's head coach says they are also nice decisions for him to ponder over, as it means that his squad is a competitive one.

Colchester head into their game with the Bluebirds on the back of a 2-1 win at Hartlepool United, last weekend.

It was a game where the U's substitutes made an impact off the bench, with Matt Jay, Alex Newby, John Akinde and Ossama Ashley all making their mark.

Bloomfield says he has had plenty to mull over and the U's boss concedes he has some difficult calls to make, ahead of the game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Bloomfield said: “It’s not been an easy week, in terms of decisions to be made.

“I don’t think the impact of the players who came off the bench last weekend can be overlooked.

“It’s nice to have these tough decisions to make, when people are acting in such a positive way.

“We know the type of quality Matty Jay brings and he’s obviously going to play a big part for us at this football club.

“Big John (Akinde) couldn’t play three games in a week; we felt that Tom Hopper’s fresh legs was the right thing at Hartlepool but obviously John comes into the reckoning as well.

“Alex Newby and Ossama Ashley came off the bench and made a big impact too, so there’s plenty to mull over and some decisions to be made.

“But they’re nice decisions, in terms of the competitive nature of the squad."

Colchester could welcome striker Kwesi Appiah back to their squad for the Barrow game.

The on-loan Crawley Town forward has not featured for the U's since December 10, due to an ankle injury.

“Kwesi has been back out on the grass and back training with the group," said Bloomfield.

“We’re really, really pleased to have him back to offer some fresh competition for places.

“I loved the impact Kwes has had for us when he first came and we’ve been very sorry to see him miss so much football time, due to injury.

“He’s back on the grass with us as well and we’re really pleased to welcome him back into the group."

Colchester host a Barrow side who lie ninth in the League Two table but lost 5-1 at Carlisle United, in midweek.

The U's will be hoping to avenge their 3-1 defeat at Holker Street back in November.

Bloomfield added: “Barrow are a team that we respect – we know the quality that they bring in attacking areas.

“They’ve got some really, really good energetic players with some good pace in attacking areas and we know the high energy that they’ll bring, on Saturday.

“I know Pete personally and he’s one of life’s good guys.

“I wish him the best at all times – apart from the game on Saturday when we’re going to be the best of enemies!

“We know that they’re coming here on the back of a defeat, which they’re going to be a wounded animal and looking to bounce back.

“They only got promoted the year before last and secured their league status, last season.

“They’ve gone onto bigger and better things this year and Pete has done an incredible job for them.

“I don’t think they can be underestimated in any way and we certainly won’t be, irrespective of their defeat at Carlisle.

“In the first period of that game especially they were very, very good.

“We had a really tough night up there earlier in the season which stands out in my memory for various reasons.

“We certainly know that this isn’t going to be an easy game.

“But we want to put on a show in front of our home fans.

“We want a home win and make sure that we give them something to cheer about and we’ll certainly be trying our best to do that."