COLCHESTER United have been linked with a January move for Yeovil Town winger Wes McDonald.

The 21-year-old is said to be interesting the U's and other clubs according to reports, ahead of the transfer window reopening next month.

McDonald has impressed for Colchester's League Two rivals Yeovil so far this season, clocking up 11 appearances in all competitions.

The speedy attacker, who is believed to only be a short-term contract at Huish Park, has produced some eye-catching displays for the Glovers.

McDonald was on the books of both Crystal Palace and Fulham, before joining Birmingham City in 2013.

He failed to make a senior appearance for Blues and was released at the end of last season, joining Yeovil on a short-term contract.

Meanwhile Colchester head coach John McGreal believes this weekend's opponents Macclesfield Town’s improvement in form reflects how tough League Two is.

The high-flying U’s are preparing to return to action this weekend when they host the revitalised Silkmen, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Bottom side Macclesfield, now managed by former England defender Sol Campbell, have won back-to-back league games including an impressive victory at promotion-chasing Exeter City.

And U’s boss McGreal believes their form is an example of how competitive the fourth tier currently is, as he gets his side ready for another vital game after a 10-day fixture gap.

McGreal told the Gazette: “Looking at Macclesfield now, it just shows you in this league.

“They’ve won two on the bounce now and it’s so tight.

“It’s a tough, tough league.

“The challenge was going to Forest Green in our last game knowing that we had ten days until our next one.

“We didn’t want to go there and not put on a show or sit around and mope.

“You could see that and I thought that the boys worked their socks off, right the way through from minute one.

“To manage the game out as they did plus the five minutes added on, it was a thoroughly professional performance.”

Colchester have had time to reflect on their season so far, having been without a fixture last weekend.

The U’s sit third in the table after 20 games, five points off league leaders MK Dons who they travel to play later this month.

“We’re all taking stock of what’s happened so far,” added McGreal, who is hoping the break between fixtures has given the likes of Ryan Jackson and Kane Vincent-Young time to shrug off knocks ahead of the Macclesfield game.

“We’re always thinking of different ways to stimulate the boys and keep their minds at it.

“We look at the positives from the games, because they come thick and fast.

“At the end of the day, it’s three points whether you win or lose.

“It’s obviously a valuable three points when you win but if you don’t, you try and take the positives and it’s only three points lost.

“Now we’ll take stock a little bit because we have that break but we’re not going to get too far away from what we’re doing, because the boys are working hard.

“I’m a big believer in if you do work hard, you do get your rewards.

“Not every week but if you continue to put that work ethic in, you’ll get your rewards and at the minute, the boys are getting them.”