Colchester United boss, John McGreal, has called for the fans to get right behind their team as the challenge is on to make up for lost ground in the League Two play-off race, at home to Yeovil Town this afternoon.

The U’s begin the day seven points adrift of the top seven, and they cannot afford that gap to widen even further going into the last 10 matches of the season.

U’s supporters had every right to be disgruntled with the last home performance, a 1-0 flop to then-basement dwellers Barnet from three weeks ago.

Since then, the U’s have been in action just once, a 1-1 draw at high-flying Mansfield Town last weekend.

“We want the fans to get right behind us. The crowd can have a big part to play,” insisted McGreal.

“They know what we are trying to do, and we need everyone pulling together. The fans, home and away, have been very good this season, and they have a big role to play.

“We have 10 games left, five at home and five away, and the players do have a point to prove after the performance against Barnet. We all know that.

“We have had a terrific home record, in the 20 months that Steve Ball (assistant) and I have been in charge.

“It’s all about us now. Yeovil are craving points, at the other end of the table, and I am sure that they will put in a solid display.

“The results in midweek went for us, with Coventry and Exeter only drawing, so it’s still all there for us.”

It’s the start of a busy week for the U’s, who follow up this weekend’s home test with back-to-back away matches at lowly Morecambe (Tuesday evening) and mid-table Stevenage (next Saturday).

By the end of next weekend, therefore, the U’s could be right back in the play-off mix, or out of the picture altogether.

Squads

COLCHESTER: Walker, Eastman, Prosser, Kent, Vincent-Young, Lapslie, Comley, Dickenson, Szmodics, Guthrie, Mandron, Stevenson, Murray, Jackson, Inniss, Wright, Mandeville, Senior, Ogedi-Uzokwe, Shodipo, Rooney & Gilmartin.

YEOVIL: Nelson, James, Donnellan, Sowunmi, Dickson, Green, Bird, Wing, Khan, Zoko, Fisher, Browne, Surridge, Mugabi, Barnes, Seager, Santos & Maddison.

Referee: Tom Nield