The U’s head into their final Southern Group G clash at the JobServe Community Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm) knowing that they have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition but can clinch a home tie in the next round, if they seal top spot with a win tonight.
Cowley is set to make plenty of changes to his starting line-up tonight, with the likes of Tom Flanagan, Will Goodwin and Rob Hunt all hoping for game time along with some of the U's younger players.
Danny Cowley _(Image: Richard Blaxall)_
Colchester boss Cowley says it will be a good chance for players to impress.
Cowley said: “We have a perfect record in the competition, to this point.
“I’ve been really proud of the two performances, from the group.
“It’s always a squad effort, in this competition.
“There’s an opportunity for players.
“We lost on Saturday so the boys that will play will have a good opportunity to stake their claim and we will move the team around.”
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Colchester have won both of their group games so far in the competition, beating Wycombe Wanderers and Gillingham.
The U’s will be looking to finish their group participation with another victory and bounce back following their 2-0 home defeat against Bromley, last weekend.
“We lacked conviction in the first half and then second half, we didn’t find our rhythm and that’s what we have to go away and look at,” added Cowley.
“I don’t like it when we’re naïve; I thought there was some naivety in terms of giving silly fouls away and I don’t like it when people come off script.
“In the second half, that was what happened and that’s maybe why we’re a bit frustrated.”