Colchester United’s attacking midfielder, Sammie Szmodics, insists that Saturday’s 3-1 reverse at Stevenage is “just a setback” in what has been a very satisfactory start to the season.

East Anglian Daily Times: Diaz Wright. could be given a rare first-team outing for the U's against Southend in the Checkatrade Tophy tonight. Picture: STEVE WALLERDiaz Wright. could be given a rare first-team outing for the U's against Southend in the Checkatrade Tophy tonight. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

The U’s are back in action this evening, at home to Essex rivals Southend United in a Checkatrade Trophy group match at the JobServe Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

John McGreal’s men lost their group opener 2-0 at home to Southampton Under-21s, while Southend tasted victory over Cambridge United, so the U’s cannot really afford another defeat if they want to progress in this competition.

The U’s have reached Wembley in this competition before, when it was known as the Auto Windscreen Shield Final, losing to Carlisle after a goalless draw and a penalty shoot-out defeat.

But in truth, excitement in the Trophy does not really kick-in until the later rounds, so players, fans and management can be excused for already looking ahead to this Saturday’s home league match against Crawley Town.

Szmodics is certainly adamant that the U’s can bounce back from the defeat at Stevenage, to get back into the top-seven mix – the U’s are currently one place and one point adrift of the play-offs.

“We were aiming to get two wins on the bounce, for the first time this season, but we didn’t manage to do that,” admitted Szmodics, who scored after just 76 seconds in the loss at Broadhall Way. He continued: “But we will keep believing in what we are doing. If we get three points on Saturday, then I’m sure we will be back in the top seven.

“I think it’s just a setback for us.

“Personally, it was good to get on the scoresheet again, although I was a bit annoyed that I didn’t take a couple of other chances that came my way.

“But I’m back on the score-sheet, and long may that continue, with me scoring,” added Szmodics, who has now bagged four goals in all competitions, after his 14-goal tally from last season.

The likes of striker Mikael Mandron, midfielder Diaz Wright, Wolves loanee Aaron Collins and defender Aaron Barnes were all given rare starts, in the first Trophy fixture against Southampton U-21s, and that will probably be the case with most of these squad players tonight.