John McGreal has challenged his Colchester United side to back up their win at Cheltenham Town with another positive away result.

The U's head to Tranmere Rovers this afternoon, buoyed by their 3-1 victory at Whaddon Road last weekend.

Colchester travel to Prenton Park unbeaten on the road in League Two so far this season and boss McGreal wants more of the same at his former club today.

He said: “We’ve had three tough away games so far with overnight stays and now we have another one.

“It’s been good to get that away win on the board early and we had to wait a lot longer last season to get it.

“It’ll be nice to back it up.

“We’ve been tough to beat and getting that win at Cheltenham has given us that little bit of a shot in the arm.

“But we know Tranmere will be a different game – we’ve had them watched and they have a bit of pace in certain areas and experience in areas, too.

“I know Micky (Mellon) very well as an ex-team-mate and he’ll be getting at them to get a performance, because I’m sure that’s what the Tranmere faithful want.

“He’s done terrifically and I’ll have a good word to say about him after the match and (coach) Shaun Garnett, who’s been a big pal of mine too."

McGreal spent nearly a decade in Tranmere's first team, playing under club legends John King and John Aldridge.

“You try and take things out of each manager," said the U's head coach.

“Johnny King was a relaxed man, God rest his soul.

“He was brilliant – he allowed you to play and if you didn’t he’d come after you, which was great.

“Generally, we were able to play and express ourselves.

“We were able to do that at Tranmere in the Championship and we were in the play-offs even though we weren’t successful in them – John Aldridge helped getting 40 goals a season!

“We were able to put our own imprint on the game at a young age and that’s what I try and stress to the young boys here."

McGreal will come up against his former team-mate Micky Mellon, who is now in charge of Tranmere.

He added: “Micky’s been a big help to me and he’s someone I’ve picked the phone up to.

“At Tranmere, we always seem to keep that link with each other going back so many years.

“It’s a fantastic club and the Wirral supporters and those who follow them from Liverpool follow them the length and breadth, too.

“I’m delighted to see them back in the Football League and Micky’s done a terrific job over the couple of years to get them promoted.

“It’ll be lovely going back and I have family and friends going to the game.

“I need quite a few tickets so I need to be in touch with Micky, to be fair!"