Colchester United's players have begun pre-season training

The U’s were back at Florence Park on Thursday for the first time this season, as they embarked on testing ahead of training starting at the beginning of next week.

Colchester’s players took part in indoor strength, power and flexibility tests and a number of sprint tests on the grass as they began their build-up to the new League Two campaign, which starts on August 7.

And boss Mullins said it was great to see everyone in such good shape.

He said: “It was good to get back in and get our first day in with the new lads and a few members of staff in and for everyone to meet each other.

“We were able to go over a few points and expectations of what we want to try and do, how we want to try and work and what we expect of the boys.

“It was good to see them all in as a group for the first time.

“It’s changed now; gone are the days when the boys used to have five or six weeks off and come back in and need a pre-season.

“They’ve come back in fantastic shape and players look after themselves with the lifestyle that they’ve got, which is good.

“It means you can get started pretty quickly with your work and hopefully get up and running at a good speed.”

There were several new faces on show on the first day of pre-season, with Colchester having snapped up six players so far this summer.

Luke Chambers, Cole Skuse, Alan Judge and Freddie Sears have all arrived from Ipswich Town, while Frank Nouble and Luke Hannant have also been added.

“There was a good atmosphere – the lads haven’t seen each other for quite a while,” said Mullins.

“There are a few new ones in there but a lot of them know each other from the Ipswich connection.

“It was quite a loud dressing room, which was good.

“It was good to see them all back in and they’re all raring to go.

“I think a lot of them have been watching the Euros and have been getting itchy feet.

“You just want to get your boots on and get training and try and get back at it.”