John Ward happy with Colchester United squad

Ward has yet to decide who will be in his starting 11 on 7 August

Colchester manager John Ward has ruled out any new additions to his squad, barring any injuries or exits.

The U's stepped up their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win over Cambridge United on Tuesday.

Ward told BBC Essex: "I'm happy unless I get two or three major injuries or I lose a player or two to transfers. We'll see what happens.

"I'm delighted I've been able to bring four players in and we're very settled at the moment."

He added: "But strange things happen in football and I've got to be prepared for anything."

Ward is still bedding into the managerial role at the Community Stadium, having taken the job one month ago.

He's a real livewire, sometimes he's a little bit fast for himself but you can't doubt his energy and determination

Colchester boss John Ward on striker Ian Henderson

He had mixed feelings with his side's performance at Cambridge, after watching Ian Henderson grab the game's only goal.

"There's a lot of things that have gone in the four weeks we've been together and there's still a lot of work to do," he said.

"But in the main I'm pleased with the response of the team both in the way they play and their attitude towards it.

"If we make one or two of the mistakes we've made tonight in League One we'll get punished for them.

"We've got to make sure we cut those bits and pieces out and become more clinical at the other end."

Henderson, playing in a wide position, found the back of the net with a header late in the first half.

The 25-year-old is heading into his first full campaign with the U's, and Ward has high expectations for him.

He said: "This time he's had a full pre-season with everybody else and that's really going to benefit him.

606: DEBATE

I was there with the other 80 Colchester fans. The game was dire throughout and it's seems like over the last two games we've reverted back to hoofball

ColuKidMatt

"He's a real livewire, sometimes he's a little bit fast for himself but you can't doubt his energy and determination.

"In wide areas he's got competition from really good players, so if he slips off then the other guys have a really good shout."

Ward gave 10 out of his 11 starters a 90-minute run-out at the Abbey Stadium, with Clive Platt the only man to be replaced when Kayode Odejayi cam on after an hour.

The U's face Chelmsford on Wednesday night when Ward will look to give another batch of senior players a full game.