COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal admits he faces a 'dilemma' ahead of their vital top-five clash with Mansfield Town today.

Kane Vincent-Young is expected to return and McGreal admits having the versatile defender available again has left him with food for thought, ahead of their meeting with the Stags.

Vincent-Young sat out Colchester’s 3-0 win at Port Vale last weekend, because of a toe injury.

Brennan Dickenson replaced the former Spurs youngster in the U’s starting line-up and produced an impressive display – leaving McGreal looking like he has a decision to make.

McGreal said: “Kane’s back, so that’s really good news.

“He’s been our star player probably as well.

“He’s had the injections and that time of rest to heal the foot and it’s fine.

“He’s got through training this week and he’s ready to go.

“We know that Kane is an adaptable player who can cover a wide range of positions.

“He’s played at left wing-back, left full-back, right full-back, right wing-back, centre-half and even if you go back to last season, we played him right wing.

“He’s a player we do need back fully fit, because we know that we can play him in a wide range of positions.

“It’s a dilemma whether he gets his start back on Saturday or not.

“He’s been terrific but we saw last week that Brennan was excellent as well and it’s a little bit of food for thought.”

McGreal believes the incentive of beating one of their promotion rivals can help his side today.

The U’s play host to third-placed Mansfield knowing a win would boost their own hopes of a top-three finish while at the same time, damage their rivals’ chances.

Just two points – and two places – currently separate the two clubs in League Two ahead of the clash at the JobServe Community Stadium and boss McGreal knows how big a victory would be.

McGreal said: “When you’re getting to this stage of the season, I think it does provide that extra bit of motivation playing a side that’s also challenging.

“We try and win games of football and David and his team will be the same.

“It should be an entertaining football match, as both teams play good football.

“We’re just hoping that we can put in the same performances that we have done of late and that we get the rewards.

“It’s third v fifth and it’s a great game for our fans to come out and look at it.

“I think the likes of Mansfield and Bury are the top teams, in this division.

“It’s a fantastic game for us and for them as well.

“You want to pit your wits against the big teams in the division and no-one comes bigger than Mansfield.

“They’ve proved and flexed their muscles through the week with the signings that they’ve made as well.

“It’s a good game for us to test us and see where we are, at this time of the season as well.

“We’re at home and I thought we put on a thoroughly entertaining game last time we were at home (against Notts County).

“We did particularly well at Port Vale and we want to build on it.

“It was a terrific win and it just cemented that confidence throughout the boys, fans and media alike knowing that we’re still amongst it.

“It’s credit to the players, because they’ve done terrific to get to this stage.”

Mansfield have lost just three times in the league so far this season and boast the best defensive record in the fourth tier, having conceded just 20 goals so far.

McGreal added: “Mansfield had gone 16 or 17 games unbeaten; I know they’ve lost a couple of late but got back on the winning trail on Tuesday against Crawley.

“Flity has got them playing in a certain way, with a productive style of football.

“He sticks to his principles and it’s got them results and kept the belief.

“He’s been able to add as well to strengthen their squad if you could really, because he has got a fantastic squad there.

“We’ve done quite well against them over the seasons.

“It’s going to be different with the different personnel that he’s brought in.

“But again, it’ll be about what we try and do really.”