COLCHESTER United are braced for a busy final week of the summer transfer window – with both arrivals and departures expected before the deadline.

The U’s are hoping to bring in at least three new signings before the window slams shut on Friday, at 11pm.

Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling is set to back head coach Ben Garner's wish for more reinforcements, as the club aim to move up the League Two table.

Colchester are on the lookout for a new central midfielder and are also aiming to strengthen in other areas.

READ MORE: Five talking points from U's win at Gillingham

The U’s might also need to bring in reinforcements in central defence, depending on the extent of Nico Lawrence’s ankle injury suffered in the 3-0 win at Gillingham, at the weekend.

Gazette:

There is likely to be players leaving the JobServe Community Stadium before Friday’s deadline, too.

Talented defender Junior Tchamadeu has been linked with a move away from Colchester throughout the summer and could yet leave, before the window closes.

And the U’s could also allow others to leave, should the right opportunity arise.

Colchester boss Garner said: “It’s a big week for us.

READ MORE: U's fans give their verdict on impressive Gillingham win

“We still need I think at least three players.

“We’re three players away from what we want to be as a squad, to give us a bit more depth.

“It’s a long season and there’s a lot of games.

“I had a meeting with Robbie (Cowling) and Dmitri (Halajko) on Friday and we know what we want to do.

Gazette:

“I think we’ll have a fairly busy week, in terms of incomings and outgoings.

“We know where we want to get the squad to and hopefully we can do some good business this week and really strengthen the team.”

Garner wants Colchester to ‘kick on’ following their impressive victory at Gillingham.

Goals from Fiacre Kelleher, Samson Tovide and Bradley Ihionvien clinched the U’s their first win of the season.

READ MORE: Colchester player ratings after Gillingham win

“We trust in the work and the process in terms of what we’re doing,” added Garner.

“We weren’t going to rip things up and go away from what we do, because we think what we do is right.

Gazette:

“We’ve done a lot around the club to improve standards and facilities and we’re developing a lot of young players here.

“It’s a young, dynamic group and they’re hungry to do well and we don’t have to have any fear going anywhere in this division – we can go anywhere and win.

“Now we’ve got to kick on from here.”