Colchester United head coach John McGreal believes his side’s game at Portsmouth tomorrow will be a good barometer to measure where they are in the division.

The U’s have got off to a flying start in League Two under McGreal, claiming seven points from a possible nine in their opening three matches including back-to-back home wins.

They face a Portsmouth side who are still searching for their first win of the season, having drawn two and lost one of their opening three games.

However, McGreal believes Pompey will challenge for promotion this season.

And he sees this weekend’s clash at Fratton Park as an opportunity to see exactly where his in-form side stand in the division.

McGreal said: “Portsmouth have had a bit of a slow start but they’ve got qualify players throughout.

“When they get up and running, they’ll do what they did last season and be there or thereabouts, without a shadow of doubt.

“We know it’s going to be a really difficult game and that we’ll have to be on top of our game to get something.

“I don’t have particularly happy memories of Fratton Park.

“I got sent off the last time I played there for Ipswich (in a 1-1 draw).

“But it’s a great place to go and play football.

“It’s going to be vibrant with a big crowd and it’s going to be a good test for our players to see where we are in this division.

“The expectation levels are always going to be there.

“They’re a big team in League Two. I know (Pompey boss) Paul Cook really well.

“We’ve had them watched and they’ve been very unlucky not to win games that they should be winning.

“But it’ll only be a matter of time before things start happening for them.

“As a professional footballer, it’s a great place to go. There will be 15-16,000 there.”

Colchester could go top with a win tomorrow but McGreal insists it is still very early days.

He said: “We may possibly be seen as a scalp but we’re only three games in.

“A lot of things are going to happen and change and there will be injuries and suspensions.

“The players are taking the plaudits but we know there’s tons and tons of hard work ahead, even between now and Christmas.

“The boys from the bench have come on and affected the game and overall, I think things have gone as well as we could have hoped.

“Whether that’s going to last, I doubt it but we’re making the most of it.”