Colchester United caretaker manager Joe Dunne is likely to make a number of changes to his starting line-up for tonight’s trip to Gillingham.

Dunne is set to take charge of the U’s for a final time, with the club expected to appoint a new boss tomorrow.

He is keen to round off his time in charge by securing a win over his former club, in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round tie, at the Priestfield Stadium.

Having secured victory over the Gills in his first match in temporary charge in Coca-Cola League One, Dunne has seen his Colchester side lose their last two games.

However, he is keen to finish his temporary stint by helping the U’s progress in the competition and would dearly like to finish on a high note this evening.

Dunne told the Gazette: “We have to go again.

“We have a difficult game at Gillingham in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and then Southampton away next Saturday.

“We don’t want to lose any more games after the last two.

“No-one wants to lose three games on the spin.

“The games are coming thick and fast and the pressure is on but the lads have handled things phenomenally well.

“We have had our backs to the wall over the last two weeks and I really felt we would come out with something from both games (against MK Dons and Leeds) but we haven’t.

“We felt we should have taken something from both but hard luck stories are ten a penny.”

Dunne is set to rest a number of first-team regulars tonight.

The rules in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy permit that a club has to field a minimum of six first-team regulars in any tie.

Nevertheless, the likes of Ben Williams, Marc Tierney, Simon Hackney, Ashley Vincent and Kevin Lisbie could all still be omitted, ahead of the trip to Southampton this weekend.

Mark Cousins, Matt Lockwood, David Perkins, Anthony Wordsworth and Joel Thomas will all be hoping to start in their place.

“It’s a case of keeping them motivated,” said Dunne, who joined Gillingham as a YTS player and made more than 100 league appearances for the Kent club before moving to Colchester in March, 1996.

“We will have to make changes for tonight’s game to keep people fresh.

“It’s an opportunity for players who haven’t played.

“It’s been the same team now for the last three weeks and players need to play and we also have to look towards the next two away (league) games.”

Dunne will take charge of the U’s for the fourth time tonight, following last month’s departure of Paul Lambert.

The Irishman said he has enjoyed the chance to lead Colchester but admitted the appointment of a permanent manager will make a big difference.

Dunne added: “I’ve enjoyed the opportunity I’ve had over the last couple of weeks.

“But the change is coming and it’ll be a change for the better, I’m sure.

“I think the time is ready now for the new manager to come in.

“In my experience of being a caretaker – and having a caretaker manager as a player – you probably get about two weeks and then the players need him in place.

“There’s nothing that can help raise players more than a new face.”