COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal has been shortlisted for the League Two Manager of the Month award for February.

The U's boss led his side to two wins and two draws last month, a sequence that boosted their hopes of securing a play-off place.

Colchester defeated Northampton Town 4-0 and Cheltenham Town 3-0, along with playing out 1-1 draws with Macclesfield Town and Carlisle United.

McGreal is up against Grimsby Town manager Michael Jolley, Bury's Ryan Lowe and Richie Wellens of Swindon Town for the monthly award.

The judging panel comprises former Colchester and Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL League expert Don Goodman, EFL Senior Media Manager Rob Meaden, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL Trader Ivor Davies.

The winner will be announced on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, McGreal says he is pleased with his squad's energy levels as they approach the season run-in.

The U's have 11 games remaining this season, including five more in March having started the month with a 3-0 defeat at Swindon Town, last weekend.

Colchester are now preparing for back-to-back home games against Newport County and Forest Green Rovers, looking to secure the points needed to boost their play-off hopes.

McGreal said: “It’s a tough month – there’s six games this month and we have to be mindful of what we do and hopefully stay injury free.

“That’s the big thing, if we can.

“Energy levels within the squad are really good, at the moment.

“I’m a firm believer that it starts with training, you get your fitness levels and game plan comes into play on a Saturday and we’ve been able to do that.

“We’re really mindful about what we do in training and I mentioned the role of GPS, at the Fans Forum the other night.

“We don’t want to over-exert the boys because we want the boys to be nice and fresh for the games."