COLCHESTER United manager John Ward will give his players some time off from training this week in order for them to ‘mentally and physically’ recharge.

Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat against MK Dons was the Essex side’s ninth game in 24 days. During that time they have had four consecutive Tuesday night away games.

That gruelling period certainly seems to have taken its toll over the last week as the U’s have suffered three consecutive defeats.

“I’m probably going to give them a rest this week because I think they look as though they need one,” said Ward, whose side have a rare week without a Tuesday night game before Saturday’s trip to Tranmere.

“I thought that on Tuesday (1-0 loss at Dagenham & Redbridge) and I thought that again today. That’s not an excuse at all, it’s just what my observations are.

“I think we just need to switch off a little bit and come back fresh. I read that West Ham went to Portugal and Tottenham went to Dubai the other week, we might just go home for a couple of days.

“People will probably say the players don’t deserve a day off but they don’t know what I’m aware of with this group of people. Sometimes you just need to switch off and get on it again a little later.

“I’m loathe to say this because people will say ‘they should be alright’ but sometimes mentally and physically a little breather can pick people up. It may help me as well.”

The U’s once again failed to turn lots of creation into enough goals on Saturday, but Ward admitted his search for an experienced loan striker is proving difficult.

“At the moment I can’t find one,” he said. “I could get one or two young players but they would probably find it difficult to come in.

“Whilst I will look I don’t think it would be right to bring an 18-year-old inexperienced player in to replace the guys I’ve got.”