Colchester United boss, John McGreal, is anticipating a “really good game” at former top flight club Coventry City this afternoon.

The Sky Blues can be viewed as sleeping giants, having been relegated to the fourth tier at the end of last season for the first time since 1959.

In fact, Coventry were a top tier club for 34 years in a row until suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2001. Since then, the Midlanders have been largely starved of league success.

Mark Robins’ men are among the favourites for promotion this season, but they have dipped out of the top seven following back-to-back 1-0 defeats at Accrington Stanley and against Forest Green Rovers in midweek.

By contrast, the U’s have won three of their last four league games, and are gunning for a third victory on the bounce on the road.

“Coventry are a really big club at this level. They have a fine stadium and a nice pitch,” explained U’s boss John McGreal.

“They will be looking to bounce straight back this season, but we will be looking to continue our good recent form.

“That’s why I am expecting a really good game.

“We are hoping to back up Tuesday night’s performance (2-1 win at Newport) with another one this weekend.

“It’s such a tight league, like in previous seasons, although Luton have managed to string a few wins together (seven victories in their last eight matches) to go top,” added McGreal.

The U’s have been excellent away from home in recent weeks, unlucky to only draw 2-2 at Grimsby after conceding a late equaliser, and then winning at Yeovil and Newport.

That is in stark contrast to the start of the season when they lost their last four away games on the spin at Accrington, Cambridge, Luton and Cheltenham.

Squads

COVENTRY: Burge, Grimmer, Willis, McDonald, Stokes, Kelly, Doyle, McNulty, Nazon, Jones, Beavon, Biamou, Ponticelli, Vincenti, Davies, Shipley, Stevenson & O’Brien.

COLCHESTER: Walker, Eastman, Inniss, Kent, Jackson, Lapslie, Comley, Kinsella, Murray, Hanlan, Mandron, Wright, Kabamba, Odeulsi, Slater, Kpewaka, James, O’SUllivan & Gilmartin.

Referee: Michael Salisbury (Lancs)