Colchester United head coach John McGreal admits he is expecting a completely different challenge from lowly Chesterfield tonight.

The U’s go into their clash with the Spireites with confidence high, following their 3-1 victory over Crawley Town last weekend.

Chesterfield will arrive at the Weston Homes Community Stadium still smarting following their 5-1 thrashing at Crewe Alexandra last Saturday.

Gary Caldwell’s side are second from bottom in the League Two table but boss McGreal is expecting a different contest to the one they experienced against Crawley.

McGreal said: “Chesterfield will be a totally different test for us.

“But it’s a home game and it’s one that we’re looking forward to.

“We had three debutants (against Crawley) and we’ll have to see how our boys are for the game.

“The games are coming thick and fast and it’s nice that we’re at home and we’ve got no travelling.

“It was a tough game against Crawley especially in the second half where we’ve done a lot of defending but a lot of counter-attacking, as well.

“It was a bit of a ding-dong match in the second half but we’ll recover and we’ll look forward to Tuesday night.

“We’re a new team and we’re finding ways to win and to keep the lead in games - that will only come with different tests like the Chesterfield game.”

Colchester will check on the fitness of Frankie Kent and Sean Murray, ahead of the Chesterfield match.

Kent limped out of the U’s win over Crawley with a heel problem, while Sean Murray missed the game because of a hip injury.

A number of Colchester players are definitely ruled out of tonight’s clash including Craig Slater, Kurtis Guthrie and Luke Prosser but McGreal believes the addition of four new loan signings on transfer deadline day will boost his squad.

“Injuries have been coming again,” added McGreal.

“But that’s where these loans are so important, with Robbie (Cowling) and Tony (Humes) getting them over the line.

“The boys we’ve signed will be needed from now until January.”