COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal could ask some of his regulars to make amends for their below-par performance at Stevenage when they host Southend United tonight.

The U’s host their Essex neighbours in their Checkatrade Trophy Group B match, looking for a positive result following their disappointing 3-1 loss at Broadhall Way, last weekend.

McGreal made seven changes to his side for their group opener in the competition against Southampton under-21s last month.

The likes of Mikael Mandron, Frankie Kent and Brandon Comley could all feature against Blues, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

However, the U’s boss says he is mulling over asking some of his starting line-up against Stevenage to play again, after their showing last weekend.

McGreal said: “We could make changes but we could also ask the players that were out there against Stevenage to go again, after that second-half performance.”

Colchester’s home clash with Southend tonight is their third of seven matches in October and McGreal says it is important they keep players fresh.

“This month is an intense month, with seven games to play,” said the U’s boss.

“It’s good, because you go Saturday-Tuesday and it’s great that the games come thick and fast.

“Players will have knocks but it’s how we go about it and recover.

“When people come off the gas a little bit because it will happen or we have to rest one or two players to keep them fresh, we need those players to back it up.”

Meanwhile, McGreal admits that Colchester have become a ‘scalp’ in League Two following their impressive start to the season.

Stevenage’s delight was evident for all to see after they beat the U’s but the Colchester boss says it was just one game.

He added: “We’re probably a scalp now.

“Teams celebrate in different ways but it wasn’t an FA Cup or European Cup final there.

“It was a division two game and it’s three points – that’s all that’s been lost.

“All that they’ve won is three points.

“They might have won the battle but they haven’t won the war.

“It’s a long way in the season and we’ll continue to grind out and do a lot of work, for the games coming up.”