The U’s make the trip to Derbyshire in the middle of a demanding spell, with multiple injuries adding to the challenge facing Cowley and his squad.

Tonight's contest is Colchester’s second fixture of a three-game week and comes during a sequence that will see them play just once at home in five matches.

But Cowley believes difficult circumstances can bring the best out of his side.

“We understand how tough that is going to be for us,” said the U’s boss.

“We’re in a three-game week, in a spell of one home game in five and have a lot of injuries, so it couldn’t be tougher for us.

“But we quite like it like that. We like being in adversity.

“We find the best of ourselves when we’re in these moments.”

Battle - Jack Payne in action for Colchester United in their 3-0 defeat at Chesterfield, last season (Image: Richard Blaxall)

Colchester are no strangers to midweek visits to Chesterfield, with this being the third successive season they will travel to the SMH Group Stadium on a Tuesday night.

Cowley expects another demanding encounter against a Spireites side he regards as one of the strongest in the division.

“We’ve been there the last two years, on a Tuesday,” he said.

“They’re a very good team, one of the best squads at the level.

“I would expect them to be right up there, by the end of the season.

“They got pegged back against Port Vale on Saturday but they have some really good players.

“They’re a really technical team who make the pitch very big and they want to try and dominate the ball.”

The game will also pit Cowley against experienced Chesterfield boss Paul Cook, for whom the U’s chief has plenty of admiration.

Cowley revealed the pair have contrasting approaches when it comes to keeping their cards close to their chest before matches.

In charge - Chesterfield boss Paul Cook (with Daniel Farke) (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

“We’re going to go there full of respect for Paul Cook,” said Cowley.

“I don’t know how many games he’s managed now but he’s a real football man.

“He has a really good team but we’re going to go there and give it everything we’ve got.

“I don’t like giving too much away about my team, prior to the game.

“We don’t want to give the opposition any leg up.

“It’s always funny actually, as Paul doesn’t care at all!

“If I phoned him the night before the game, he’d probably tell me his team!”

Cowley recalled former Ipswich Town boss Cook being similarly open when the sides met last season, even outlining how his Chesterfield team would attempt to play.

“I remember him coming last year and saying, ‘you know what my teams do – my wide players are going to roll in, my full-backs are going to go on the overlap and we’re going to try and dominate the ball and we’re going to do it with a smile on our face’.

“He’s such a good guy and he’s got some top players, for sure.

“For us, we’ll try and give a little less away.

“Paul has lived football a long time and has managed many, many times.

“We all do it our own way and to our own style.

“For us, it’s always to put the energy and focus into us but also be aware of the opponent and try to find a healthy balance.”