CITY have been offered the chance to size up potential loan signings in training.

Stuart McCall revealed that a couple of clubs are considering allowing him to run the rule over their young players.

But the plan may have to be put on hold while they remain in the Carabao Cup.

McCall insists he is in no great rush to increase the squad after being impressed with their efforts in the opening two games.

He still intends to add another striker and right back before next month’s deadline. But having fielded two entirely different teams so far, the City boss does not feel “in desperate need” right now.

McCall had hoped to cast an eye on a couple of youngsters in training next week. But next Tuesday’s Carabao Cup second-round tie with Lincoln has probably put paid to that.

He said: “There are a couple of clubs who will maybe allow us to look at their younger players.

“I was possibly going to do that next week but we’re through in the cup now.

“So that will put that off. But we’re not in a desperate need at the moment.

“We’re obviously still looking and will bring in a couple but there’s nothing imminent.”

Zeli Ismail is the only player not to have been involved in a game so far after a sore threat meant he had to be tested for coronavirus – which came back negative.

After holding their own at Doncaster in the EFL Trophy, McCall can see the belief growing within the group on the eve of the League Two curtain-raiser against Colchester at Valley Parade.

He added: “The lads worked their socks off for each other. Any successful side needs togetherness and we’ve certainly got that.

“There’s a good vibe about the place and we’ve got to keep that going. Keep believing in what we are doing.

“We went to Bolton, a side expected to be up there, and did well and then came away to a full-strength League One team. We’ve got to take all the positives for that.

“I look at people who are not in the team and feel that they could step in. They’ve all got the right work ethic and togetherness.

“Once you’ve got that, you can tidy things up on the training ground.

“That makes us not have to dive in at the minute. We will be adding people but it’s not a race against time.

“There’s no doubt if things don’t go right Saturday, then everybody will be wanting players in. But at the minute, from day one we’ve seen a really good appetite to learn and improve and they are showing that.”

Saturday will see the first competitive action at Valley Parade since the end of February, although City have played two pre-season friendlies at home against Doncaster and Wigan.

McCall said: “We’ve had a couple of games down there to try things out. There are changes to get used to.

“We can only get 12 in our dressing room and we’re getting kicked out of where the staff change to let the subs in. But it will be good to be back.

“You get greedy then and just want to get fans back into the stadium. But one step at a time.

“We’re fully focused now on Saturday and naturally looking forward to it. Colchester will fancy themselves this season to do well but we'll make sure we are ready."

Meanwhile, the kick-off for the Carabao Cup second-round game against Lincoln at Valley Parade on Tuesday has been moved forward to 7pm. 

The winners will host Liverpool the following week.