JOHN McGreal admits Colchester United will be playing host to a 'formidable' team when they take on Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow night.

But the U's head coach has urged his players to enjoy the experience of playing against their Premier League opponents, in front of a sell-out crowd at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester are hoping to cause another upset in the Carabao Cup, having dumped Crystal Palace out of the competition at the second-round stage.

McGreal said: “The Spurs game is a credit to the club and what we’ve done in the cups, this year.

“For the boys and girls who were at Crystal Palace, this is a great reward for them.

“The tickets are already sold out and it could have been sold three times over.

“It’s a great game for us to go and enjoy – that’s the main thing.

“It’s a great game for the football club and it puts us on the map again really.

“We’ve drawn Premier League teams in the last two rounds and it’s a game to go and enjoy.

“Listen, it’s Tottenham Hotspur coming to our ground.

“It’s been a sell-out for a number of weeks and it’s an unbelievable game for the fans that have travelled away to Crystal Palace in the last game (in the Carabao Cup).

“It’s a great reward for them as well and it’s a game that we can all enjoy.

“They beat Tranmere by six goals in the cup last season and they are a formidable team."

McGreal says he is hoping to spend some time with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, in the aftermath of the third-round tie.

The U's head coach says he can take a lot from Pochettino, who led Tottenham to the Champions League Final for the first time in their history last season.

“I think you can learn from the top managers," said McGreal.

“I watch Premier League football and how managers assist themselves on the touchline.

“Mauricio Pochettino is excellent on the touchline and seldom gets involved.

“I think it’s only happened once in the time he’s been over here in the game against Burnley (last season).

“Someone like (Jurgen) Klopp is totally different on the touchline, as is (Ole Gunner) Solskjaer - I look at certain managers and see what briefs they come with and how they carry themselves.

“I’ve already looked at how he (Pochettino) carries himself on the touchline and it’s exemplary, so they give us up-and-coming managers food for thought.

“It’ll be great to have a couple of minutes to pick his brains at the end."