Colchester v Swindon preview

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Colchester have received mixed team news ahead of their clash at home to Swindon.

Striker Elliot Lee and centre-back Cian Bolger return to the frame having been denied permission by respective parent clubs West Ham and Bolton to play in last weekend’s FA Cup first-round defeat to Sheffield United.

Colchester winger Jeffrey Monakana was also ruled out by parent club Preston, who have this week recalled the winger meaning he is unavailable, while left-back Luke Garbutt was shown his fifth booking of the season against the Blades and so serves an automatic one-match suspension.

David Wright, Gavin Massey, Freddie Sears (all hamstring), Jabo Ibehre (hip), Sanchez Watt (thigh), Josh Thompson (ankle) and Drey Wright (knee) are all expected to remain on the sidelines.

Swindon will once again be down to the bare bones as they head to Colchester.

Manager Mark Cooper has been coping with a lengthy injury list and his options for the trip are severely limited by some notable absentees.

Midfielder Ryan Mason suffered an ankle injury at Macclesfield last Saturday and he becomes the latest player to be sidelined along with the likes of Miles Storey, Alex Smith, Troy Archibald-Henville and Tijane Reis.

Wes Foderingham (back) and Nathan Thompson (bone bruising) both missed the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in midweek but will be assessed ahead of the clash while Ryan Harley is pushing for a start after an eye-catching 45-minute display.

Colchester v Swindon preview

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Colchester have received mixed team news ahead of their clash at home to Swindon.

Striker Elliot Lee and centre-back Cian Bolger return to the frame having been denied permission by respective parent clubs West Ham and Bolton to play in last weekend’s FA Cup first-round defeat to Sheffield United.

Colchester winger Jeffrey Monakana was also ruled out by parent club Preston, who have this week recalled the winger meaning he is unavailable, while left-back Luke Garbutt was shown his fifth booking of the season against the Blades and so serves an automatic one-match suspension.

David Wright, Gavin Massey, Freddie Sears (all hamstring), Jabo Ibehre (hip), Sanchez Watt (thigh), Josh Thompson (ankle) and Drey Wright (knee) are all expected to remain on the sidelines.

Swindon will once again be down to the bare bones as they head to Colchester.

Manager Mark Cooper has been coping with a lengthy injury list and his options for the trip are severely limited by some notable absentees.

Midfielder Ryan Mason suffered an ankle injury at Macclesfield last Saturday and he becomes the latest player to be sidelined along with the likes of Miles Storey, Alex Smith, Troy Archibald-Henville and Tijane Reis.

Wes Foderingham (back) and Nathan Thompson (bone bruising) both missed the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in midweek but will be assessed ahead of the clash while Ryan Harley is pushing for a start after an eye-catching 45-minute display.

Colchester v Swindon preview

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Colchester have no new selection issues ahead of Swindon’s visit as Joe Dunne’s side look to continue their winning run.

The U’s recovered from a nine-match losing run to record back-to-back victories in their last two outings, ensuring they head into the game with the in-form Robins full of confidence.

The only absentee in the United side remains midfielder Kem Izzet, who continues to struggle with an ankle injury.

At the weekend the manager handed starts to George Porter and Freddie Sears and the latter responded by netting from the penalty spot in the 3-2 win.

Dropped duo Marcus Bean and Drey Wright both came off the bench in the second half and are looking to reclaim their place in the starting line-up should Dunne choose to freshen things up.

Swindon are down to the bare bones with a string of players unavailable for a side unbeaten in nine.

Troy Archibald-Henville (knee), Joe Devera and Miles Storey (both hamstring) missed the 1-1 draw at Crawley and will be unavailable once more, while Louis Thompson has a niggling injury.

Aaron Oakley is on international duty with Wales Under-21s while striker Paul Benson has moved to Cheltenham on loan and fellow forward Chris Martin is back at Norwich after his stay came to an end.

Manager Paolo Di Canio will not include Luke Rooney, whose move to Cheltenham failed to go through on deadline day in his matchday squad.

The Robins chief could name just six substitutes at Crawley and with four of those now unavailable the Italian is very short of resources.

Colchester v Swindon preview

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Steven Gillespie is in line to make his return for Colchester when they host the Robins.

The 27-year-old striker has barely featured this season after suffering several injuries. His latest problem, a hamstring strain, kept him sidelined for a month but Us boss John Ward has stated he will play some part against the Robins.

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole returned to training on Thursday following his groin injury but the game comes too soon for him.

Lloyd James was suffering from illness earlier in the week and Ward will monitor the midfielder closely.

Striker Casey Thomas, on loan from Premier League club Swansea, has been granted permission to play.

Swindon will be without forward Jake Jervis for their FA Cup trip to the U’s.

The on-loan Birmingham frontman has been prevented from playing by his parent club, meaning Robins manager Paolo Di Canio will have to change his strike partnership for the game.

Mehdi Kerrouche has recovered from a minor leg injury and could start alongside Lukas Magera in attack for the Wiltshire outfit, while Alan Connell is also vying for one of the two striking positions.

Etienne Esajas suffered a head injury in training during the week which has kept him out of action for a couple of days, but Di Canio expects to have the Dutch winger available for selection as he looks to guide his side into the third round.

Midfielder Ahmed Abdulla remains a doubt, however, while defenders Joe Devera (ankle) and Alberto Comazzi are out.

Colchester v Swindon preview

admin

Steven Gillespie is in line to make his return for Colchester when they host the Robins.

The 27-year-old striker has barely featured this season after suffering several injuries. His latest problem, a hamstring strain, kept him sidelined for a month but Us boss John Ward has stated he will play some part against the Robins.

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole returned to training on Thursday following his groin injury but the game comes too soon for him.

Lloyd James was suffering from illness earlier in the week and Ward will monitor the midfielder closely.

Striker Casey Thomas, on loan from Premier League club Swansea, has been granted permission to play.

Swindon will be without forward Jake Jervis for their FA Cup trip to the U’s.

The on-loan Birmingham frontman has been prevented from playing by his parent club, meaning Robins manager Paolo Di Canio will have to change his strike partnership for the game.

Mehdi Kerrouche has recovered from a minor leg injury and could start alongside Lukas Magera in attack for the Wiltshire outfit, while Alan Connell is also vying for one of the two striking positions.

Etienne Esajas suffered a head injury in training during the week which has kept him out of action for a couple of days, but Di Canio expects to have the Dutch winger available for selection as he looks to guide his side into the third round.

Midfielder Ahmed Abdulla remains a doubt, however, while defenders Joe Devera (ankle) and Alberto Comazzi are out.

Colchester v Swindon preview

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First-choice goalkeeper Ben Williams is set to miss out again when Colchester host Swindon.

Williams is still struggling with a back injury so Mark Cousins, who returned to the side for last week’s 1-0 defeat by Hartlepool, will keep his place.

Defenders Magnus Okuonghae and Brian Wilson are close to being fit following ankle injuries but will not be risked just yet.

Norwegian defender Morten Knudsen, who signed for the Us last January but has still not made an appearance due to a knee injury, played for the reserves this week but he too will not be rushed into action.

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from the cruciate injury he suffered last season.

Elliot Benyon is hoping to be fit for Swindon’s trip to Colchester.

The striker missed Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Leyton Orient with a tight hamstring but returned to training on Thursday and did not feel any ill-effects. He will be monitored ahead of the clash.

Lecsinel Jean-Francois made his comeback from a leg injury at Brisbane Road before being removed after 47 minutes, but his substitution was merely tactical and he will again be available this weekend.

David Lucas, who made his return from a lengthy knee injury to take his place on the bench in midweek, could well be pushing for the number one jersey against the U’s.

Striker Vincent Pericard (knee) is close to making his return but Saturday may just come too soon, while winger Alan O’Brien (hamstring) and defender Milan Misun (knee) definitely miss out.

Colchester v Swindon preview

admin

First-choice goalkeeper Ben Williams is set to miss out again when Colchester host Swindon.

Williams is still struggling with a back injury so Mark Cousins, who returned to the side for last week’s 1-0 defeat by Hartlepool, will keep his place.

Defenders Magnus Okuonghae and Brian Wilson are close to being fit following ankle injuries but will not be risked just yet.

Norwegian defender Morten Knudsen, who signed for the Us last January but has still not made an appearance due to a knee injury, played for the reserves this week but he too will not be rushed into action.

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole remains a long-term absentee as he recovers from the cruciate injury he suffered last season.

Elliot Benyon is hoping to be fit for Swindon’s trip to Colchester.

The striker missed Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Leyton Orient with a tight hamstring but returned to training on Thursday and did not feel any ill-effects. He will be monitored ahead of the clash.

Lecsinel Jean-Francois made his comeback from a leg injury at Brisbane Road before being removed after 47 minutes, but his substitution was merely tactical and he will again be available this weekend.

David Lucas, who made his return from a lengthy knee injury to take his place on the bench in midweek, could well be pushing for the number one jersey against the U’s.

Striker Vincent Pericard (knee) is close to making his return but Saturday may just come too soon, while winger Alan O’Brien (hamstring) and defender Milan Misun (knee) definitely miss out.