John McGreal has described the efforts of his Colchester United players as “amazing” as they enter the final stages of the League Two season.

The U’s head into the home clash with Stevenage this weekend lying five points off the play-off places, with six matches to go.

Colchester have had to contend with a host of injuries during the current campaign and found themselves languishing in the relegation zone, last November.

But since that point they have been challenging at the right end of the table and despite their 3-1 defeat at Notts County last weekend, head coach McGreal says he is pleased with their efforts, so far.

McGreal said: “It’s still great that we’re in there fighting with six games to go.

“We’ve had four or five different teams and come all the way up the league.

“It’s amazing what these boys have done and we’ll keep going.

“They’ll feel a little bit sorry for themselves (after the Notts County defeat) and that’s football.

“We’ve lost three points but we have a home match next and we’ll go and try and win it. To still be in and around it at this late stage of the season is great.

“If you speak to any player, they’ll say it’s better looking up towards the play-offs than it is looking over your shoulder at relegation, which we have done over the last four or five years.

“It’s about us now dealing with a different pressure.”

McGreal says Cameron James was taken off at half-time of their game at Notts County after suffering a blow to the head during the first half at Meadow Lane.

James was struck at close range by Elliott Hewitt’s fierce shot in the build-up to the Magpies’ second goal and eventually departed at the break, to be replaced by Matt Briggs.

“Cameron took a whack and he’s still only 19 years of age,” said McGreal.

“We were looking to change it at 2-1 down and we weren’t going to just sit on our laurels.

“I thought we gave more of an effort in the second half and had a good foothold in the game but just certain areas didn’t click for us.”