COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal says having all of his forwards available has given him the kind of decisions he wants to make as a manager.

Mikael Mandron has impressed after starting the U's last three games as their main target man and grabbed their winner in the 1-0 victory over Macclesfield Town.

But joint leading scorer Luke Norris is now back in the fold after more than a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury and appeared as a substitute for Colchester, last weekend.

And Frank Nouble has also been utilised in a central role for the U's, giving McGreal plenty of choices to make ahead of the trip to play Carlisle United, this weekend.

McGreal said: “I’ve got those options now, which is really pleasing.

“We feel as though given opportunities, Luke does tend to score.

“But I do think Mika’s performances of late have been very good as well.

“They are decisions that I’ve been wanting, having all of the frontline fully fit.

“I’ve said from pre-season that we feel as though we have three top forwards at the club.

“Now they’re all fit, we’re hoping that they all push each other along to get the goals and to get the wins for the team."

McGreal says defender Tom Eastman is now available again after missing the last month with an eye socket injury.

The long-serving centre-back has not featured since suffering the injury in the opening minute of the U’s 1-0 loss at Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup first round, on November 10.

Eastman has continued training throughout his injury lay-off but has now resumed heading the ball, giving McGreal another choice to make on Saturday.

“It’s really pleasing that Tom has been training this week and that gives us something else, if we want to change it or adapt to a different style of play," said the U's boss.

“He’s been heading balls but it’s one we’re undecided with.

“He’s trained and we know that he can go in there straight away and perform and he’s done everything from a fitness point of view.

“Easty, along with Rene (Gilmartin) and Luke (Norris) being back, gives us that different type of personnel if we choose to change one or two."