Colchester v Brentford preview

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Alan McCormack should return to the Brentford squad for the trip to Colchester.

The former Southend midfielder, who has been playing at right-back for much of this season, was left out of Monday’s 2-2 draw at MK Dons to rest a minor knock.

Winger Sam Saunders is close to returning after a knee op but defender Harlee Dean is out with a groin problem and midfielder Adam Forshaw has undergone ankle surgery.

Kevin O’Connor, Jake Reeves and Marcello Trotta are pushing for recalls if boss Mark Warburton opts to make changes with promotion already secured.

Colchester will host newly-promoted Brentford knowing victory could secure their League One status for another year should results go their way.

Boss Joe Dunne will be able to choose from the same squad that claimed a valuable point at fellow strugglers Crewe on Monday.

Midfielder Craig Eastmond has spent the last two games on the bench following his return from suspension and will be hoping to reclaim his starting place while Sanchez Watt (quad) continues to play through the pain.

The U’s have beaten Brentford at home just once in nine attempts since 2001 and will be looking to improve on the reverse fixture this year when the Bees ran out 3-1 winners despite trailing to Magnus Okuonghae’s opener.

Colchester v Brentford preview

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Ashley Vincent and Matt Heath could return to contention for Colchester.

Vincent has been sidelined since the start of December with a hamstring injury but, having almost once made a return only to suffer a setback in his progress, the winger is now approaching full fitness and could feature on the bench.

Defender Heath has also returned to full training following a second groin injury and may push for a starting berth against the Bees.

Manager John Ward told the club’s official website: “We’ve got Matt and Ashley back in training and on Friday we had 21 outfield players training. The games are coming thick and fast so we have to be ready for that and it’s great we’ve got the two lads back with us.”

With back-to-back postponements against Sheffield United and Walsall, the U’s were last in action at the end of January as they ended a three-match winless streak with a 1-0 triumph at Leyton Orient.

And Ward could be tempted to keep faith with the same starting XI who triumphed at Brisbane Road, although experienced midfielder Martin Rowlands is another pushing for inclusion as he still waits for his debut having arrived at the start of the month as a free agent.

Adam Thompson and Saido Berahino will be added to the Brentford squad.

Defender Thompson rejoined the Bees on loan from Watford last week and striker Berahino arrived from West Brom via a spell with Northampton.

Manager Uwe Rosler has no new injury worries but was dealt a blow last week when skipper Kevin O’Connor’s comeback was put on hold.

The long-serving midfielder, who has been out since November with a foot injury, was due back this month but suffered a setback as he stepped up his recovery and faces another spell out.

Centre-half Karleigh Osborne (leg) misses out again while full-back Jake Bidwell plays the final game of his current loan spell from Everton.

Colchester v Brentford preview

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Colchester will be without captain Kem Izzet when they host Brentford.

The combative midfielder collected his fifth booking of the season against Hartlepool on Saturday and serves a one-match ban.

Anthony Wordsworth is likely to start on the left wing with Andy Bond taking Izzet’s central role.

Striker David Mooney missed out at the weekend after picking up a calf injury in training and will be checked over.

Ian Henderson started in Mooney’s place and could start again after hitting the late winner from the penalty spot.

On-loan Bristol City defender Tommy Williams is fit after a groin injury and should be involved but Steven Gillespie (thigh), Simon Hackney (back), John-Joe O’Toole and Morten Knudsen (both knee) are still missing.

Brentford hope to welcome Stephen Wright, Myles Weston and Sam Wood back into the squad.

Wright suffered a knee injury against Aldershot in the FA Cup last week which ruled him out of Saturday’s win at Plymouth but he is set to return at right-back.

Wingers Weston and Wood also missed out at the weekend after both pulled up in training on Friday with leg injuries but they too are expected to be available.

Midfielder Kevin O’Connor had to come off towards the end at Home Park but was only suffering with cramp.

Striker Carl Cort is the only long-term absentee as he continues his recovery from a torn Achilles.