Colchester United boss, John McGreal, is looking forward to another “big game” against promotion-chasing opposition this weekend.

The U’s were edged out by League Two leaders Accrington Stanley last Saturday, seeing their three-game winning streak ended by a 1-0 home defeat.

That left them four points adrift of the top seven, but last night’s results worked in their favour as play-off rivals Swindon Town and Mansfield Town failed to win.

The U’s would have been left trailing the top-seven by five points, if either side had won, but Swindon were pegged back to a 2-2 draw at home to Yeovil, thanks to Alex Fisher’s 89th minute equaliser for the Glovers.

And the out-of-sorts Stags were also restricted to just one point, drawing 1-1 at Stevenage.

“It’s another home game, and Notts County will bring a good following with them,” enthused McGreal, looking forward to the weekend clash, which will be the U’s penultimate home game of the season.

“It’s a big game for us, and one to look forward to.”

Referring back to the defeat to title favourites Accrington, McGreal continued: “Accrington are a streetwise group, and they don’t tend to get injuries, which is important.

“That’s where we have got to get to, by emulating them.

“But we feel as though we have got a good team as well, despite being a bit ragged during the last 20 minutes when trying to get the equaliser (on Saturday).

“One or two of our players came off the boil in this game, by not being quite as good as they have been of late. But you have to give Accrington credit for that.”

The U’s have been without midfielder Tom Lapslie and winger Brennan Dickenson in recent games, due to injury, and both are being assessed before this Saturday’s visit of Notts County.

“Tom (Lapslie) and Brennan (Dickenson) were not near to playing last weekend,” explained McGreal.

“Tom was particularly desperate to play, but he has a hamstring injury which we have to be careful of.

“And Brennan has a dead leg that is still causing him problems.”