Joe Dunne is demanding maximum effort from his Colchester United players when they take on Heybridge Swifts in their opening pre-season friendly tonight.

The U’s travel to Scraley Road to play their Ryman League division one north opponents (kick-off 7.45pm), as they continue their preparations for the new League One season.

Colchester’s full first-team squad will play Swifts, the first of four friendlies against non-league sides in as many days for the U’s.

Each U’s squad member will get 45 minutes of game time both tonight and against Witham Town tomorrow - and Dunne expects them to give it everything.

He said: “The next four games will really help our fitness and we’re ready to go.

“I expect high explosiveness within the games and I’m not looking for an easy way in.

“We’re going to take two teams to Heybridge and each player will play 45 minutes.

“It will be the same against Witham and then 70 minutes-20 minutes on Friday and Saturday, against AFC Sudbury and Bishop’s Stortford.

“I expect maximum effort from the players, otherwise it’s pointless."

See Wednesday's Gazette for more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news.