Colchester United old boy Scott McGleish believes that the U’s will stay out of relegation trouble during the last two months of the season.

Goal poacher McGleish was at Brisbane Road last Saturday, to cast his eye over two of his former clubs, Leyton Orient and the U’s.

The 40-year-old, who is still banging in the goals with great regularity, for Wealdstone in the Ryman League Premier, was very impressed with the U’s despite their 2-1 defeat in East London.

Perhaps not surprisingly, for a striker, McGleish made special mention of the workload of Jabo Ibehre up front, and also the potential of Freddie Sears in support.

This duo could resume their partnership, at home to Coventry City tomorrow, after Ibehre missed Tuesday night’s goalless draw against Rotherham due to injury.

“Colchester don’t look like a relegation team,” insisted McGleish.

“I thought they played well (at Leyton Orient), and Jabo was the usual Jabo you expect up front.

“He’s really strong, and he holds the ball up well. He battles extremely hard.

“If Colchester can just feed off that, and get the ball into Freddie (Sears) a bit more, in an advanced position, be it out wide or in the hole, then I think there is a goal threat there between those two, in this division.

“Gavin Massey gives them quality out wide, and defensively they have two strong units.

“They also have a keeper (Sam Walker) who comes for things.

“So, all in all, I think they will be OK this season,” added McGleish.

Barnet-born McGleish rattled up 184 senior appearances for the U’s, during two spells (1996, and 2001-04) with the club, scoring 53 goals.

Only one point is keeping the U’s away from the relegation zone, on the back of just two points accrued from their last six games.