Colchester United head coach John McGreal admits he is unsure where his loan players will be playing their football once their deals at the club expire.

The U’s currently have four first-team players in their squad who will see their loans at the Weston Homes Community Stadium come to an end in the New Year.

Kyel Reid, Brandon Hanlan, Nicke Kabamba and Brandon Comley – who all joined the League Two side at the end of the summer transfer window - will see their temporary deals with Colchester conclude in January.

And speaking after seeing his side lose 2-0 at Southend United in the Checkatrade Trophy last night, McGreal says it is unclear where they will be after that.

McGreal said: “We’ve got loans in and around the first team at the minute and January is coming up.

“I don’t know which way the loans are going to go.

“It was a case of getting the other boys in and back into the shape.

“They haven’t had that opportunity over the last six or seven games because the squad has been very similar and we’ve got the points.”

Ryan Inniss is also on loan at Colchester from Premier League side Crystal Palace but is on a season-long deal.

McGreal says he is honoured to be nominated for the League Two Manager of the Month award for October.

And the U’s boss says he is equally proud to see striker Mikael Mandron shortlisted for the division’s Player of the Month award.

“I’m really proud to be nominated,” said McGreal.

“I’ve been nominated three times now with the club.

“It’s great that Mika has been nominated for the player award too and it shows what we’re doing at the club and that we’re being recognised for that.”

McGreal was shortlisted after an impressive October which saw Colchester claim ten points from five games, in League Two.

He is up against Port Vale’s Neil Aspin, Mark Cooper of Forest Green Rovers and Luton Town boss Nathan Jones for the accolade.

The judging panel consists of Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL League expert Don Goodman, EFL Marketing Director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL Trader Mikey Mumford.

Meanwhile, Mandron has been nominated for the Player of the Month award after scoring four goals in five games, last month.

He is up against Luton’s Luke Berry, Neal Eardley of Lincoln City and Port Vale forward Tom Pope, to land the prize.

The winners of the awards will be announced on Friday.