COLCHESTER United could come up against their former midfielder Brandon Comley when they face Bolton Wanderers, this weekend.

And the Trotters' capture of the former QPR youngster is a big boost, according to his new team-mate Antoni Sarcevic.

Comley is in line to face the U's for the first time this weekend since departing the club, in the summer.

The 24-year-old was one of four senior players to be told by Colchester in April that their services would not be retained past this summer, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial restrictions that has built.

Comley, who made nearly 100 league and cup appearances for Colchester during his time at the JobServe Community Stadium was one of 18 new arrivals in the Bolton camp this summer - and Sarcevic feels his team-mate will be motivated to do well tomorrow.

“Brandon was one of the players they couldn’t keep, I played against him last year,” he said.

“Their loss is definitely our gain. But there are lot of other lads there we’ll have to consider. We have to win, it’s that simple.”

Sarcevic has warned Wanderers not to expect a free ride as they go in search of a maiden League Two victory at Colchester this weekend.

The Bolton captain encountered the U’s twice last season in a Plymouth Argyle shirt, bittersweet meetings that saw him score the winning goal at Home Park last August but also end up on the wrong end of a 3-0 score-line in February at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Wanderers need some momentum after three defeats on the spin in league and cup but Sarcevic does not expect it to come easily in what is one of the longest trips on the calendar for Ian Evatt's men.

“Colchester is a tough place, a long journey for us,” he said. “They are a well-structured team, even though they lost a few because of financial difficulties.

“I watched them through the play-offs and we (at Plymouth) had a couple of really competitive games against Colchester last season, so there will be a big test. We have to be ready.”

After the dissatisfaction of defeat against Forest Green, Sarcevic led the dressing room retort with a plea for patience from supporters as the team beds itself in.

And though the Whites skipper accepts criticism of performances is inevitable, he is confident results will soon give people something more positive to discuss.

“They will be frustrated, we’re not winning games, it’s as simple as that,” he said.

“But all I can say is that it’s a long season, there are 45 games to go.

“Promotions don’t happen on the first day and if they stay with us it will start clicking.”