Colchester United fans were handed another boost today with the news there could be up to five Division Two games switched to Friday nights at Layer Road this season.

U's managing director Stephen Gage revealed the move just four days after the club said they had been restricted to two Friday night home games - against Wrexham on October 1 and Luton Town on December 17.

Gage said the home against Chesterfield, originally scheduled for Saturday, December 4, had now been brought forward 24 hours to join the Friday night list.

And working in conjunction with the police, negotiations with two other clubs - not yet named - were also at an advanced stage.

Gage said: "In total there is likely to be just five games. We initially set out to switch six home games. Chesterfield, Wrexham and Luton have already agreed, but other clubs refuse to be persuaded.

"Lincoln City, Wigan and Notts County turned us down point blank when we requested bringing forward their games. As the visiting teams they all claimed to feeling intimidated by such a move and having nothing to gain. We must respect their views."

But Gage pointed out there were other factors that also have to be taken into consideration when determining the number of Friday night games at Layer Road. He said: "We at Colchester have to strike a balance between Friday and Saturday matches.

"We have a lot of fans who cannot get to Friday night games so we have to take them into account as well.

"But if we were lucky enough to get a televised game it would automatically be moved to Friday night and the clubs would have no say in it."

The U's chief added: "The higher up the League the club plays its matches, the less chance there is of switching to Friday. If we were in Division One we probably wouldn't have any."

U's manager Mick Wadsworth, however, greeted the prospect of more Friday night games with great relish.

"I've always liked Friday football," he said. "It gives you a march on other teams when playing your games early."

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