JOHN McGreal believes the prospect of moving up to second in League Two can act as extra incentive for his Colchester United players today.

The U’s are hoping to chalk up three successive league wins for the first time since April when they travel to play fellow promotion hopefuls Newport County.

Colchester lie third in the table – two points above their hosts – ahead of the clash at Rodney Parade.

And after a break in league action following games in the FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy, head coach McGreal believes it is a great match for the U’s to look forward to.

McGreal said: “It’s a brilliant game.

“We were disappointed with the two cup games and for the fans as well but we’re back to the bread and butter of the league.

“We’re playing a fellow rival and they’ve been up there all season – Flynny’s done a terrific job.

“They had a really good start to the season and continued from there.

“They’ll be looking to put in a good performance in front of the home fans but we’ll be looking to continue our impressive league form.

“We can make a statement of intent going there and get the three points, which would potentially get us to second in the league.

“We’ve been in good form in the league and we’ve got some good goalscorers throughout the team.

“Obviously we haven’t done that as much of late but we’ve been winning 1-0 and that’s been invaluable, as it’s given us the three points each time.

“We’ve had two great home wins against Lincoln and Swindon – now we’re looking to try and maintain that away from home.”

Colchester’s game at Newport is the first of a succession of fixtures against sides who also currently reside in League Two’s top ten.

“It’s an important part of the season and we have games coming up against teams who are in and around us in the table,” said McGreal.

“We’ve got points on the board in the early part of the season and we’ve been able to maintain that but it’s only a start.”

Meanwhile, boss McGreal says teenage defender Ollie Kensdale is in contention to feature at Newport.

The 18-year-old made his senior U’s debut at Cambridge United in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night, playing for an hour of the 3-1 defeat.

McGreal said: “Ollie’s definitely come into my thinking.

“He has been playing men’s football but he needed game time.

“I’ve shown before that I’m not scared to throw any boys in – if I think they’re ready, they’ll get opportunities.

“He’s another one of our own boys that’s come through the system.

“You try and knock the smile off his face – he’s as high as a kite after Tuesday night.

“He was disappointed that we lost but he’s a mature boy for his age and he’s done particularly well, of late.

“He’s a fan, along with the likes of Szmodics and a few of the other boys.

“I’m sure the fans will be singing his name and he’s been here since he was ten years old.

“He’s a tenacious boy – he’s 18 years old and a nice build.

“We’ve been able to get him out on loan and get him in the men’s football.

“We’ve got a really good academy system here and that’s the pathway we provide.”