Robbie Cowling is hoping the visit of West Ham United tonight will help attract new fans to Colchester United’s games next season.

The U’s are expecting a bumper crowd at the Weston Homes Community Stadium for their pre-season friendly against the Hammers (kick-off 7.45pm).

Colchester’s game against West Ham is the first of two games against Premier League opposition this week, with Spurs to follow on Friday night.

U’s chairman Cowling said: “It’s a coup that we’ve been able to attract a club like West Ham and Spurs.

“It’s taken some really good work by the people we have behind the scenes to get these fixtures arranged.

“It will certainly help bring people to the stadium who haven’t been before.

“Some of the West Ham fans who came to watch their team’s friendly with us last summer came back to the stadium in the season to watch games.

“The games against West Ham, Spurs and Ipswich in particular are good tests for us.

“And they also help us to form bonds with big clubs, which is important.”

The U's game against West Ham kicks off at 7.45pm.

The club car park is now sold out for the match.

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