COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal says his players are excited about the possibility of competing in the play-offs - and creating more positive memories for the club.

The U's look set for a League Two play-off semi-final against Exeter City, with confirmation from the EFL and FA potentially coming this week.

Colchester were sixth in the table, prior to the campaign being suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The U's also reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, where they beat Spurs and Crystal Palace on their way to a quarter-final exit at Manchester United.

It has already been a memorable season for the U's - and head coach McGreal hopes there is more to come.

McGreal said: “These are exciting times for the football club.

“It’s something that we’re all very much looking forward to.

“We thought that the season was done but when division one is sorted out and as long as it’s safe, we have something to look forward to.

“There will be four teams competing in the play-offs, if it gets the go ahead.

“In the early part of this week, we should know more.

“Our boys have been sticking to their programmes that have been put in place.

“The boys are fit and well and they’re excited about the prospect of playing in the play-offs.

“We’ve had some brilliant memories already this season and we’re hoping to create more.

“We had the Manchester United cup game and reaching the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, which was a fantastic achievement.

“And in the league, we’ve also had some great results and beaten some big teams, in our division.

“I really hope we have two play-off semi-finals and a Wembley final to look forward to.

“It’s been a long time since the club have been in this kind of position."

Colchester's players could return for individual socially-distanced training in the latter part of this week.

Competing in this season's play-offs is set to cost the U's at least £200,000, while the club will also be paying for the necessary testing proceedures to take place.

“The chairman (Robbie Cowling) has made a huge commitment in enabling us to compete in the play-offs, because there’s a big cost involved," added McGreal.

“It’s a big financial commitment for the football club.

“To echo what Robbie said recently, it’s a brilliant football club.

“It’s fantastic and we’re so close knit – we have a brilliant camaraderie with the fans and it’s still very much there.

“Even though we haven’t been able to play, we can still very much hear and feel that rapport that exists."