HARRY Pell believes the prize of eventually reaching a Wembley final will drive Colchester United’s players on at his former club Cambridge United tonight.

The U’s head to the Abbey Stadium knowing that a win will help them progress to the knockout stages of the Checkatrade Trophy.

Colchester’s win over Southend United last month has given them a chance of progression in the much-maligned competition.

And midfielder Pell says they are aiming for nothing less than a victory over their League Two rivals, who were dumped out of the FA Cup by non-league Guiseley on Sunday.

“The Checkatrade Trophy offers a great route for the fans to have a day out at Wembley, which is important for any club," who spent two months on loan at Cambridge in the 2011-12 season.

“It’s not about the group table – if we win, we go through and that’s what we’re focusing on.

“Cambridge are a team in our league and I’m sure that we’ll go into the game as favourites.”

Pell is confident that Colchester’s strength in depth will help them deal with the injuries they have picked up, over recent games.

Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin and defender Tom Eastman were both injured in the 1-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup, last weekend.

And leading goalscorer Luke Norris is currently sidelined with an ankle injury sustained against Swindon Town, in the U’s latest League Two contest.

Pell said: “Our squad depth and the programme the chairman and gaffer have put in place is fantastic.

“I’ve never really been around that kind of thing before and there’s two or three players for every position, which is going to be important over the course of the season.

“The infrastructure at the club is absolutely fantastic.

“You can see the club are doing all they can to help the players achieve, which is great.

“Now it’s over to us to perform on the pitch.

“It’s vital to have that strength in depth and we have to be realistic.

“As a group, especially the younger players, we’re all going to go through phases and that’s why we play in League Two.

“We’re not Premier League players expected to perform every single week. Someone like Eden Hazard.

“That’s why it’s important to have players capable of coming in and providing competition and keeping people on their toes.

“Training has been sharp and there are 25 players champing at the bit, determined to nail down their place in the team. That can only be a positive thing.

“That competition is something the players both expect and relish.”