COLCHESTER United could not have been handed a much tougher start to their League One season.

Okay, so they began last season’s campaign with a 4-2 victory at Preston but the Lilywhites are undergoing major surgery under new manager Graham Westley, the former Stevenage having released 12 and signed eight new players since the end of last season.

Westley’s former charges visited Colchester last season and delivered a 6-0 hammering and the ex-Farnborough boss will be looking to mould a similar-looking side at Deepdale.

Following that tough start at Preston, Colchester face two mouth-watering matches at home, against 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth, on August 21, and last season’s play-off final runners-up, Sheffield United.

Pompey are in turmoil at the moment with their off-field issues dominating the close season, however, they are still likely to pose a tough threat, while United finished on 90 points last season but finished third.

While the opening three fixtures pose something of a daunting look for U’s fans, two home games against arguably the biggest two teams in the division should attract bumper attendances at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

If Colchester have any designs on making the top-six, they will hope to be going into the final month of the season in-form, ahead of a favourable final five games.

Colchester travel to Oldham, who finished in lower mid-table, on April 1, host another one of last season’s strugglers, Leyton Orient on April 6, face a tough test at Notts County on April 13, before finishing with a home game against newly-promoted Shrewsbury and an away clash at Carlisle.

It promises to be a tough season full of twists and turns.