COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal says his trio of new signings have created an “electric” atmosphere around the club.

The U’s have recruited three new players this week – Ben Stevenson from Wolves and loanees Abo Eisa, from Shrewsbury Town, and Callum Roberts, from Newcastle United.

McGreal was delighted with his club’s business during the January window and hopes they get off to a winning start at Northampton Town tomorrow.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said the U’s boss.

“There’s been a lot of work going on behind the scenes and these are all boys who will come in and offer something different.

“We’ve got a third of the season to go and we’ve brought in some fresh faces and new blood.

“They’re real quality and the first training session yesterday, when everyone was involved, was electric.

“We knew that having 14 to 15 players, with back-up from the 23s, might not be enough and we’ve looked at the accumulation of minutes some of the boys have played.

“Bringing these boys in will provide a little bit of respite.

“They've made a big difference already and the players know they’ve come in and are going for their positions.

"They know they’ve got to try and improve.”

McGreal’s most recent capture was announced yesterday lunchtime, with winger Roberts joining on loan from Premier League side Newcastle.

The 21-year-old was an unused substitute in Tuesday’s victory against title-chasing Manchester City and recently scored in the Magpies’ FA Cup victory at Blackburn Rovers.

McGreal was also delighted with his other signings, Stevenson and Eisa.

The former has signed on a two-and-a-half year deal from Wolves and is well-known to U’s fans, having been on loan for the second half of last season, playing 13 games and scoring twice.

Eisa has joined on loan from League One Shrewsbury.

“We've put in offers for Abo before, at a similar time last year, but Shrewsbury were going for promotion to the Championship then,” added McGreal.

“He’s a big part of the plan there and they wouldn’t let him come here unless he signed a new contract.

“They’ve covered themselves, knowing that if he does come here and score goals and create assists, they’ve got a very good player.

“He’s direct, pacey and an out and out winger - generally left-sided but he can also play on the right.

“As for Ben, it’s been bubbling away for a number of months.

“We know what he did last season.

“He’s got goals to his game and he can play in those three midfield positions.

“He just gives us something we haven’t got.

“He was fantastic for us last year and we feel like we’ve got a very good player.

“Ben was delighted to come back.

“He played 13 games and scored a couple of goals.

"He was excellent and he’ll freshen the midfield up.

“It’s a huge coup for the club and I’ve been taking phone calls from people, saying what a good player we’ve got.”