Colchester United are ready for the final part of their "ultimate test", according to manager Phil Parkinson.

The U's journey to Coca-Cola League One leaders Swansea City is the culmination of three long-distance away trips in the space of a week.

It will have seen the side travel close to 1,500 miles when they arrive back at Layer Road tomorrow night. So far, though, the travelling has not bothered Parkinson's troops as they beat Shrewsbury Town 2-1 in the FA Cup second round last Saturday and Hartlepool United 1-0 in the League on Tuesday night. Parkinson said: "This week has been the ultimate test. > "It really has challenged us, you don't get three longer away trips than that, but we've got two down and one to go." More in today's Evening Gazette

Published Friday, December 9, 2005

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