COLCHESTER UNITED travel to promotion-chasing Oldham Athletic tomorrow afternoon.
The U’s will be looking to extend their current unbeaten streak to four games when the sides meet at Boundary Park. This will be the second tough away trip of the week for the Essex side, following Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Huddersfield. To read Vital Colchester’s match report click here.
The Latics, following a 1-1 draw with Leeds last Monday, will be keen to continue there impressive home form, against the U’s.
Colchester boss Paul Lambert wants all three points from Saturday’s clash, he said: “We have to try and turn these draws into wins.
“I saw Oldham at Leicester City and they were decent. I also watched them at Leeds United.
“It will be a tough game but we will have to go there and try and win it.”
Oldham chief John Sheridan revealed a number of fringe players may be called upon when the U’s visit.
He commented: ‘We have a couple of knocks at the moment and a few suspensions coming up, so players who aren’t playing at the moment will have to be ready.’
Oldham’s veteran stopper Mark Crossley (back) is unavailable.
Matty Wolfenden (thigh) will also miss the game, however, Dale Stephens (thigh) is receiving treatment ahead of the clash.
New loan signing Steve Kabba could feature.
The ex-West Brom front man will be looking to add to his impressive goal total of 17 so far this season, with a strike against the U’s.
Colchester goalkeeper Jimmy Walker has returned to his parent club following a three-month loan spell with the U’s. So Mark Cousins, who played midweek, or Dean Gerken will start between the sticks.
Centre back Paul Reid (knee) is out, so either Chris Coyne or John White, both returning from injury, will come in.
Youngster Sam Corcoran travels with the squad up North hoping to get a chance to feature.
U’s Squad: Cousins, Gerken, Tierney, Maybury, White, Coyne, Baldwin, Perkins, Corcoran, Izzet, Hammond, Wordsworth, Hackney, Vernon, Platt, Gillespie, Wasiu, Yeates.
The £250,000 buy from Brighton has been arguably the U’s player of the season this current campaign. Hammond struck both goals on Tuesday night, the first a penalty, the second a skillful free-kick, against Huddersfield and will be keen to inspire the U’s to victory.
Colchester 2-2 Oldham
Weston Homes Community Stadium
Colchester: Gerken, White, Heath, Coyne, Ifil, Yeates, Izzet, Jackson, Wordsworth (Perkins, 73), Platt, Vernon (Wasiu, 67).
Subs Not Used: Hammond, Cousins, Elito.
Booked: White (13), Yeates (43), Wordsworth (47), Perkins (88).
Scorers: Yeates (42, 63).
Oldham: Crossley, Eardley, Lomax, Gregan, Hazell, Taylor, Liddell (Smalley, 82), Allott, Whitaker, Hughes, Alessandra (O’Grady, 80).
Subs Not Used: Stam, Maher, Fleming.
Booked: Allott (7). Hughes (38).
Scorers: Taylor (64), Smalley (88).
Attendance: 4,708
To read Vital Colchester’s match report click here.
Referee: Chris D Sarginson – Staffordshire
Assistants: D Gratton and P T Kettlewell
Fourth Official: A J Scregg
StevieG Col U’s prediction: I’ll go for a 2-1 U’s win!
What do you think the result will be? Let us know with a comment below!
Who? Swindon Town
Where? Weston Homes Community Stadium
When? Tuesday – 19:45