DANNY Cowley believes the fierce competition for places in his Colchester United squad can help fuel their drive up the League Two table.

The U’s return to League Two action tomorrow against Cheltenham Town after a two-week fixture break, due to international call-ups.

Colchester will welcome back trio Lyle Taylor, Aaron Donnelly and Jamie McDonnell, after they missed last week’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy draw at Leyton Orient due to being on international duty.

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And with players having impressed against the O’s after being given their chance to shine, it makes for some decisions for boss Cowley ahead of the game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Cowley said: “It’s a really competitive squad.

“We trained Monday and Tuesday and there’s very little between the players and between the teams.

“Actually, I think this can be the major strength of this group because it’s the competition that normally drives the standards.

“I think this is why we train as a high level of intensity and quality as a group on a daily basis because the boys know that if they come off it, they’ll lose their place in the team.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“We select the team but the players pick the team through their performances on both the training pitch and in games.

“There’s good competition for places in a few different areas.

“For one reason or another, we haven’t been able to get consistency in our backline which is something that we’ve always had and that we would strive for and like.

“If we can find that level of consistency, then that will really help everyone.”

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Colchester host a Cheltenham side who lie fourth from bottom but are only a point adrift of the U’s, in the table.

“Michael Flynn is a really experienced manager in these levels and has been a very successful manager,” added Cowley, who watched Cheltenham’s home defeat to Swindon Town, last weekend.

“His teams are always very, very competitive and we anticipate a really tough game.

“I don’t think Cheltenham have been beaten by more than a goal in all of their games this season and they’ve always been in games; they’ve been very, very competitive.

“Michael Flynn’s teams always go to the end."