JOHN McGreal admits he is having to juggle his squad after Colchester United's injury worries worsened.

The U's head coach could be without four first-team players for the key League Two clash at Newport County, this weekend.

Tom Lapslie is the latest Colchester player to be sidelined.

The combative midfielder sat out the U's 3-1 Checkatrade Trophy defeat at Cambridge United last night after picking up a hamstring injury, following the FA Cup first-round exit at Accrington Stanley last weekend.

And defender Tom Eastman and goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin are both out of the Newport clash, after also picking up head and hamstring injuries respectively at Accrington.

In addition, leading goalscorer Luke Norris has missed Colchester's last two games with an ankle injury.

However, boss McGreal is hoping for positive news on his striker's condition.

McGreal said: "It's a juggling act really, knowing that the games are coming thick and fast.

"We've lost key players to the team.

"Tom Lapslie is struggling at this moment in time with a hamstring.

"It was the aftermath (of the Accrington game) in the last couple of days.

"It's one where we're hoping it's precautionary but he's feeling a bit tight in there.

"Tom Eastman is now out of the equation as well and it's one where we're just trying to look after a few boys.

"Tom won't be involved at the weekend - he goes to see someone (today) about his eye socket, so he'll be out.

"With Rene (Gilmartin), we're talking a number of weeks really.

"(Luke) Norris we're hoping won't be too bad - he's been in and around it and he's feeling pretty confident.

"We'll wait and see on that one."

Colchester recalled defensive pair Ollie Kensdale and Cameron James from their respective loan spells at Maldon and Tiptree and Braintree Town, following the injuries.

Kensdale made his senior debut for the U's at Cambridge, while James was an unused substitute.

McGreal added: "We've been tested with the squad that we've got but it gives other boys opportunities to perform like (Aaron) Collins, (Mikael) Mandron and (Brennan) Dickenson, who's coming back into it now with two games in a row.

"It gives them that game time that they've been lacking of late.

"It also gives the likes of Ollie Kensdale and Diaz Wright an opportunity along with Ryan Gondoh, who I thought came on and did terrific for 20 minutes as well.

"They're boys who have been sitting on the bench and chomping for opportunities who have been able to perform (against Cambridge)."