COLCHESTER United boss John Ward has called upon his side to be brave at Premier League side Sunderland in the Carling Cup second round tonight.

The 59-year-old came desperately close to causing a major upset at the 49,000 capacity Stadium of Light at the same stage of the same competition when manager of Cheltenham.

His League Two side held Mick McCarthy’s top-flight hosts to a 0-0 draw in 2005/6 before eventually being defeated by a single extra-time goal.

The U’s boss therefore sees no reason why his in-form League One side should go into tonight’s game with any trepidation.

He said: “We are a team that has now got eight goals in four games, so I will now see if my players are big enough and brave to do that at Sunderland.

“I will certainly be encouraging them to do that – what else do you expect me to say? I’m not one of those managers that just wants to go and have a day out.

“It’s Premier League v League One and they’re at home, but I’m fine with that.

“I went up there as manager with Cheltenham and we took them to extra-time before losing 1-0. Our chairman at the time still says his most cherished possession is that photograph of the scoreboard at full-time, so that shows this is a big moment for us that should not be underestimated.”

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