If players do not perform, then they will be out of the team.

That is the warning of Colchester United boss, John McGreal, ahead of tomorrow’s home match against League Two play-off rivals Newport.

The U’s have been boosted by the arrival of three new loan players this week, and also the continued progress of former injured players Ryan Inniss and Luke Prosser, plus Brennan Dickenson.

“The players with the shirt have to perform because new players and injured players are knocking on the door,” insisted McGreal.

“We have competition for places, which we didn’t have at the start of January when we lost a few players.”

- ‘I haven’t been this far down south’ – Liam Mandeville

Striker Liam Mandeville (Doncaster), midfielder Ben Stevenson (Wolves) and winger Olamide Shodipo (QPR) could make all their U’s debuts tomorrow afternoon, following loan moves on transfer deadline day.

Centre-halves Prosser and Inniss are also pushing for a return to the starting line-up. Winger Dickenson is about two weeks away from a return to competitive senior action.