JOHN McGreal admits keeping his entire Colchester United squad happy is putting his managerial expertise to the test.

The U's head coach made four changes to his side for their 1-1 draw at Macclesfield Town, on Saturday.

Omar Sowunmi, Paris Cowan-Hall, Brendan Wiredu and goalscorer Theo Robinson were all recalled by the Colchester boss, at Moss Rose.

But the likes of Luke Gambin and Jevani Brown were unused substitutes for the U's against the Silkmen, while Ryan Clampin did not even make the final 18.

And with Ryan Jackson, Kwame Poku, Harry Pell and Callum Harriott all expected to soon return from injury, boss McGreal admits he has a job on his hands to keep everyone content.

McGreal said: “It was a sleepless night (on Friday night) worrying about not so much the starting XI, but other boys.

“It's a test of my managerial skills.

“I’ve been given the numbers – it’s probably a little too many compared to what we thought we’d have but we’ve got them and we’ll make the most of them.

“People aren’t going to be happy but as I keep saying to the boys, it’s not about me or themselves – it’s all about what’s best for the football club."

Wiredu played the opening 45 minutes against Macclesfield but the Charlton Athletic loanee was forced off at half-time, having felt under the weather in the build-up to the game.

“He’s been suffering with his chest – we spoke to him (on Friday) and he trained and said he was fine," said McGreal.

“He said the same (on the morning of the game) to us and the fitness coach.

“But being fine and then actually playing and being able to run around is totally different.

“I just felt that it was wise that he came off and bring in more legs around him."

Meanwhile, boss McGreal admits teenage attacker Poku would have started at Macclesfield - had he been fit.

The talented winger has missed Colchester's last two games due to a calf injury.

McGreal added: “Kwame didn’t make it – we had a training session (on Friday) and thought that he’d got through it.

“But he woke up (on Saturday morning) and was feeling it, so he failed a bit of a fitness test.

“That was disappointing, because he would have been a starter."