Colchester United have decisions to make ahead of Oldham Athletic clash

Dillon Barnes has started between the sticks for the U’s in their last League Two matches and helped them to three points and a clean sheet at Cambridge United, last weekend.

However, player-coach Rene Gilmartin is now back to full fitness following his knee injury, having been on the bench for the 1-0 win at the Abbey Stadium.

Gilmartin had started 16 successive games for Colchester, prior to being ruled out of their game against Tranmere.

McGreal said: “Rene (Gilmartin) wasn’t as fit as we’d have liked last week but he is now.

“I’ve got decisions to make in that area.

“Dillon did well last week but he was well protected by the back four and those in front of him.

“I thought they were outstanding for him but when he was called upon he did well and his distribution was very good.”

McGreal has decisions to make for the Oldham game, with new signing Sam Saunders hoping to make his first Colchester start at the JobServe Community Stadium this weekend.

Saunders came on as a second-half substitute for Tom Lapslie in the Cambridge win and the former Wycombe Wanderers midfielder has impressed since being drafted in as a free agent.

“I was thinking about bringing Sam on a good ten minutes beforehand at Cambridge,” said McGreal.

“I just felt he would bring that energy and experience in the middle of the pitch and I think it proved it.

“He’s had two good weeks of training and he’s ready to go and play, if selected on Saturday.

“He’s a fit boy – he’s been over at MK Dons and they didn’t get together on a contract deal, in a way.

“He’s had another couple of offers in our division and we’ve done well to get him.

“He was delighted and we’ve seen already with his GPS stats that he’s up there in training.”

Colchester will be up against an Oldham side who will be in upbeat mood, following their impressive 2-0 win over in-form Tranmere Rovers in midweek.

The Latics have won back-to-back games under Pete Wild, who has taken over at Boundary Park on a caretaker basis until the end of the season following Paul Scholes’ exit last month.

“It’ll be a tough game and Pete (Wild) has got them going especially of late, with a couple of good wins,” said McGreal.

“Pete has been at Oldham for a number of years and we’re expecting a really tough game, because they have some good players.

“It’s another huge club at our level and their last couple of wins have got them amongst it.

“I’m sure Pete will be looking to add to their couple of wins and go on a nice run now to build up that momentum to try to get towards the play-offs, as we all are.

“I don’t think the boys got the credit for the win at Cambridge, who had won one and drawn three, prior to playing us.

“We put in an unbelievable away performance.

“The fans got all the plaudits because they came down in the numbers but the boys played really well and it just goes to show how well they’ve done.

“Our performance went a little bit masked but we’ll get on with that.

“Now the proof is in the pudding and we have to do the same, against Oldham.”