COLCHESTER United's under-23s will have several first-team players in action against Ipswich Town this afternoon, at Florence Park.

The likes of Omar Sowunmi, Tom Lapslie, Ryan Clampin and Ethan Ross are all set to feature for Richard Hall's side, in their latest Professional Development League Two game (kick-off 1pm).

Colchester's under-23s go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Reading, in their latest Premier League Cup group game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Diogo Freitas-Gouvenia drove a shot wide of the far post for the U's early on, while Jake Hutchinson had a shot easily saved.

At the other end, U's keeper Bailey Vose made a block from Tyler Frost in the box.

And Reading came even closer to taking the lead when Conor Lawless's superb left-foot effort was tipped around the post for a corner.

Colchester eventually fell behind eight minutes before half-time after Frost got away through the middle, side-stepped a defender and beat keeper Vose.

The U's came close to an equaliser just before the break when Dean Ager was denied by a very good save by the Reading keeper.

Hutchinson's shot went wide of the far post just after the break, before Colchester equalised with 19 minutes remaining.

After a good run forward, Miguel Scarlett fed substitute Hasanally on his right who from just inside the box, drove a low cross shot under the dive of the keeper.

Vose was then called into action after that, making very good saves to deny Tyler Frost and Marcel Elva-Fountaine as the spoils were shared.

The draw sees the U’s drop to third place in the group on five points, behind leaders Reading and second-placed Charlton Athletic.

Colchester end their group games with a trip to Charlton and a visit from Swansea.

U's under-23: Vose, Scarlett, Weaire, Kensdale, Kazeem, Fernandes, Ager, Hyde, Campbell-Ryce, Hutchinson, Freitas-Gouveia.

Subs: Hasanally, McLeod, Sims. Not used: Marshall-Miranda, Coulter.