Colchester United boss, Tony Humes, is happy with his defensive options, and his midfield strengths, but he still feels that his squad is short of two attacking players.

Colchester United boss, Tony Humes, is happy with his defensive options, and his midfield strengths, but he still feels that his squad is short of two attacking players.

The U’s have impressed in pre-season so far, with four wins out of four against Heybridge Swifts, Brentwood Town, Bishop’s Stortford and a West Ham XI.

They entertain Leyton Orient this Saturday, before welcoming Ipswich Town to the Weston Homes Community Stadium next Tuesday evening.

Humes would love to have strengthened his squad by then, with the addition of some more attackers, although realistically any new recruits might not arrive until nearer the start of the season proper, on Augusy 8.

“I think we need a couple more players, we are two players short,” confirmed Humes.

“We need more forward players. We created a few chances against West Ham, but we didn’t take our chances when we had them, and we didn’t penetrate enough when we possibly could.

“So we need a couple of more players to give us more balance in the squad.

“We’re not that close at the moment, to be honest, because a couple of the players we have been chasing have been doing very well at their respective clubs, and so they are hanging on to them for a little longer.

“Therefore, we will just monitor the situation. We’ve just got to be patient until clubs name their squads at the start of the season.

“We are looking at loans, at this moment in time, identifying those players that can take us forward, although there is still the option for permanent signings to come in,” added Humes.

Keeper Sam Walker is yet to play this summer, due to a knee injury incurred towards the end of last season, although the former Chelsea trainee is hoping to feature against the O’s on Saturday.

Right-back Richard Brindley, recruited on a permanent deal from Rotherham earlier in the summer, also missed out against West Ham.

Humes explained: “Richard (Brindley) was due to play, and he trained with us on the open day on Sunday.

“But he’s got a bit of a tight hip-flexor, so we weren’t going to take a risk on him. We will look for him to be involved on Saturday.”