Colchester United boss Joe Dunne is using his side’s free weekend to go on a double scouting mission.

With the U’s without a match today, Dunne intends to run the rule over four of their League One rivals.

Dunne iwas expected to head to Griffin Park last night to watch high-flying Brentford take on Gillingham.

And he also will cast his eye over Colchester’s next opponents, Shrewsbury Town, when they play at Swindon Town today.

The U’s play host to managerless Shrews on Tuesday night.

Dunne said: “When the chances are there to watch games, it’s important that you take them and that’s what I’ll be doing.

“But it’s down to us and what we do on the night against Shrewsbury.

“It’s important that we concentrate on what we can do.

“Motivation is very high within the group and competition for places is very good.

“Things have gone well for us lately but in a blink of an eye everything can change and we have to stay focused.”

Colchester’s training schedule has been disrupted by waterlogged pitches this week.

They were unable to train at either their Florence Park training ground or at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Thursday, because of wet pitches.

However, they have been boosted by Gavin Massey’s return to full training and Tom Eastman has also shaken off the back injury he sustained in the U’s 4-2 win at Carlisle United, last weekend.

David Wright received treatment from physio Tony Flynn earlier this week following the calf injury he picked up at Brunton Park.

But Dunne is hopeful that the experienced former Ipswich Town player will return to full training, in the coming days.