JOHN McGreal has revealed the reason behind Jevani Brown's omission for Colchester United's game at Forest Green Rovers.

The summer signing from Cambridge United did not even make it on to the U's bench for their 1-0 defeat on Saturday, despite travelling with the squad to the New Lawn.

Brown has not started for Colchester in the league since their 1-0 win over Northampton, on August 24.

And head coach McGreal says he wants to see improvement from the former Peterborough United youngster, if he is to force his way back into the team.

McGreal said: “Jevani is one of the players who has to improve.

“I’ll have a chat with him but these boys who have been coming on like Kwame (Poku) and Brendan (Wiredu) have been playing particularly well.

“I can only have so many subs on the bench and people have to miss out."

Brandon Comley was another player to miss out for Colchester against Forest Green.

He did not travel with the U's squad to Gloucestershire, following his international appearances for Montserrat last week.

“Brandon came back late on the Thursday and missed training," said McGreal.

“He came in (on Friday) and was really fatigued.

“Gams (Luke Gambin) is a little bit different in that he’s been in Europe whereas Coms has been the other side of the world so we thought it was best for him to miss this one out."

Colchester are back in action tomorrow night when they travel to play Swindon Town, in another League Two encounter.

The U's currently lie 17th in the table, after their six-match unbeaten run was ended at Forest Green.