Colchester United head coach John McGreal believes his in-form squad have matured as a group of players during their impressive six-match unbeaten streak.

The U’s head into their home clash with struggling Cheltenham Town this afternoon in buoyant mood, having claimed 16 points from a possible 18 in League Two.

Colchester host the Robins at the Weston Homes Community Stadium (kick-off 3pm) lying just two points off the play-off positions following their impressive 4-2 triumph over Stevenage, on Saturday.

It is a far cry from a few weeks ago, where the U’s found themselves in the relegation zone following a ten-match league winless run.

McGreal said: “I don’t think anyone would have believed four or five weeks ago that we’d be two points off the play-offs, at this stage.

“I could foresee it in the early part of the season when we were doing well; we’ve had the blip but it just shows you the quality we have within the squad and they are developing that character and that steely mentality, so long may that continue.

“Over the last five or six weeks, they’ve grown as a group of players.”

Colchester raced into a two-goal lead at Stevenage inside the opening 15 minutes, thanks to early goals from Brennan Dickenson and Kurtis Guthrie.

Strikes from Ben Kennedy and Matt Godden either side of half-time brought Boro’ back on level terms at the Lamex Stadium, before late goals from substitutes Chris Porter and Tarique Fosu sealed the U’s win.

McGreal said: “The boys kept going until the end and even at 2-2, there was an air of calmness.

“That’s where they’ve progressed over the last few weeks and months.”

Colchester today host a Cheltenham side in the bottom two, following a 1-0 home defeat against Wycombe Wanderers.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” added McGreal, who is hopeful midfielder Craig Slater will return today after he missed the Stevenage win because of food poisoning.

“Cheltenham have had an extra day to prepare, because they played on Friday night.

“There’ll be a lot of recovery from us but we were back in yesterday for the analysis on Cheltenham.

“We’ll assess fitness but we’ll leave it last minute today, because the games are coming thick and fast.

“There’ll be a lot of patching up but the dressing room is absolutely flying.”

Denny Johnstone is doubtful for the Cheltenham clash after coming off at half-time against Stevenage because of a hamstring strain.