Colchester United face Cheltenham Town on Saturday
John McGreal and the U's are back in League Two action, as they take on The Robins at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
With the U's having a break on the international weekend, due to Like Gambin, Brandon Comley and Callum Harriott's call-ups, it has been three weeks since the last league encounter.
That was the 3-2 victory at Mansfield Town at the beginning of November, taking the U's to eighth and a point off the Play-Off places.
Without a league match last weekend, that gap grew to two points and the U's dropped to tenth place in the table.
Cheltenham Town are in the third of those Play-Off places, in sixth, and McGreal is expecting a tough test against one of the surprise sides of the division.
"Since they got promoted into the league a few seasons ago, Cheltenham have finished mid-table so Michael and Russell have done a great job this season so far.
"They have been in and around it all season after a good start, we had a slow start but have picked things up and I'm sure it'll be a tough match for both sides.
"We've got the three lads back from international duty and competition for places across the pitch is strong."