U’s vs Leicester – Preview

Colchester United host Leicester City tonight looking for their first victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The U’s go into the game on the back of Friday night’s impressive win at Tranmere Rovers. Caretaker-manager Kit Symons took charge of the U’s for the first time since Geraint Williams’ departure. The ex-Portsmouth defender will be looking to chalk up another win in his bid to become the U’s permanent manager.

The Foxes currently sit comfortably in 5th place, two points off the League One summit, after Saturday’s win over Hartlepool United. Boss Nigel Pearson has impressed since taking over at the Walkers Stadium in the summer.

Vital Quotes:

U’s caretaker-boss Symons wants a repeat show of the win over Tranmere.

He said: ‘It`s another big game and they come around thick and fast.

‘But we have set our standards now and we need to maintain that and go on from there.

‘I have said to the players that I hope that is just the start.

‘We have set our standards, to a certain extent, with the passing and moving and finishing.’

Colchester United Team News:

The U’s are likely to field the same XI which beat Tranmere on Friday.

Striker Steven Gillespie serves the final game of his three-match suspension.

Left-back Matt Lockwood (tendinitis) misses out, so loanee Gary Borrowdale will deputise.

Player to watch: Mark Yeates

Yeates, 22, struck a stunning free-kick at Prenton Park on Friday night and will be looking to add to his season’s tally of three goals.

Leicester City Team News:

The Foxes are hopeful of have strikers DJ Campbell (stomach bug) and Paul Dickov (back) available after missing out on Saturday.

Winger Max Gradel (ankle) remains doubtful.

Patrick Kisnorbo (knee) and Joe Mattock (ankle) are sidelined, along with Ashley Chambers (leg) and Stephen Clemence (ankle).

Player to watch: Matty Fryatt

Fryatt, 22, is City’s leading marksmen with six goals so far this season and will be looking to notch once again.

Match Facts & Stats

Last time out:

Leicester 1-1 Colchester

Walkers Stadium

Colchester: Gerken, Ifil, Coyne, Heath, White, Duguid, Hammond, Jackson, Elito (Izzet 73), Lisbie (Guy 90), Vernon (Platt 64).

Subs Not Used: Cousins, Balogh.

Booked: Heath.

Goals: Lisbie 76.

Att: 22,719

Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Ref Watch:

Referee: Dean Whitestone – From Northamptonshire

Assistants: B C Holderness and E I Smith

Fourth Official: O Saliy

Match Prediction:

StevieG Col U’s prediction: I’ll go for a 2-1 U’s win.

Next Fixtures:

The U’s entertain Bristol Rovers on Saturday, while The Foxes travel to Huddersfield Town.




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