Walsall Vs U’s – Preview

Colchester United travel to Walsall tomorrow, as they attempt to relight their play-off push.

The U’s will be looking to return to North Essex with three points in the bag after Tuesday’s lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers. To read Vital Colchester’s match report, click here. Paul Lambert’s side will looking for revenge, when the sides clash at the Bescot Stadium, following Walsall’s 2-0 win in Colchester earlier in the season.

The Saddlers will be looking to build on their midweek point at Carlisle United, with them sitting one place behind the U’s in League One.

Vital Quotes:

Colchester manager Paul Lambert told BBC Essex: ‘I watched them against Leicester and they were beaten convincingly, but it will be a tough, tough game.

‘We’ll go out and try to bounce back [from defeat on Tuesday] as quickly as we can.

‘I’ve got no worries about how the lads are going to react, because I know 100% that I will get everything that’s in their bodies.’

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings is still dreaming of a play-off spot, he told BBC West Midlands: ‘You’ve got to think it’s mathematically possible. Colchester went eight games unbeaten. If they can do it, why can’t we do it?

‘I keep saying we’ve all got to row in the same direction. Both away games [in the last week] we’ve come back to get something out of the game so it shows the great character of the team.’

Walsall Team News:

Goalkeeper Clayton Ince is expected to return to the side, after international duty.

Richard Taundry (dead leg) and Stephen Roberts (back) will both miss out.

Player to watch: Michael Ricketts

The ex-England international, who netted against the U’s last time round, and on Tuesday night, will be hopeful of adding to his tally on Saturday.

Colchester United Team News:

Midfielder Kem Izzet returns after missing out against Tranmere, due to a one-match suspension.

The games comes too soon for Johnnie Jackson (shoulder) and Steven Gillespie (calf), who are on the road to recovery. Vital Colchester reported this to read the article, click here.

Defender Chris Coyne will not make the journey, following midweek international duty with Australia.

U’s Squad: Walker, Cousins, White, Maybury, Tierney, Heath, Reid, Baldwin, Perkins, D. Hammond, Izzet, Wordsworth, Hackney, Vernon, Platt, Gobern, Yeates, Guy.

Player to watch: Mark Yeates

The Irish wing wizard is the U’s leading goalscorer this season, with ten goals to his name, and will be looking to help the U’s to victory with another.

Last Time Out:

U’s 0-2 Walsall

U’s: Cousins, Ifil (Wasiu 66), Baldwin, White, Hills, Yeates, Perkins, Dean Hammond, Jackson (Wordsworth 66), Platt, Williams.

Subs Not Used: Gerken, Heath, Vernon.

Walsall: Ince, Weston (Boertien 90), Roberts, Gerrard, Palmer, Taundry, Hughes (Reich 79), Mattis, Nicholls, Ricketts, Deeney (Zaaboub 69).

Subs Not Used: Bradley, Gilmartin.

Goals: Mattis 16, Ricketts 62.

Venue: Weston Homes Community Stadium

Attendance: 4,071

Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent)

Ref Watch:

Referee: Graham Salisbury – Lancashire

Assistants: S J Cook and P Dermott

Fourth Official: S Ihringova

Match Prediction:

StevieG Col U’s prediction: A 2-0 U’s win!

Next Fixtures:

The U’s will lock horns with Southend United in the eagerly-awaited Essex Derby next Saturday, while The Saddlers travel to Northampton Town.