Colchester v Bury preview

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Colchester captain Kem Izzet is back in training but unlikely to be fit.

The midfielder has been sidelined for six weeks with a hip injury.

Boss Joe Dunne has no new injury problems but watched the U’s fall to a third successive defeat in the space of a week as they went down 3-2 at Crewe last Saturday.

He must now decide whether to stick with the same XI or mix things up against the Shakers in order to rediscover that winning formula.

Dunne handed a start to loan signing John Sullivan and the goalkeeper is set to keep his place between the sticks, while fellow new boy Josh Thompson could come in for his first appearance having been an unused substitute at Gresty Road.

Bury boss Kevin Blackwell will assess the fitness of David Healy.

Veteran striker Healy rested on Thursday having returned from international duty with Northern Ireland, who drew 1-1 with Azerbaijan the previous evening.

The resurgent Shakers could move out of the relegation zone if results go their way this weekend and defender Joe Skarz is eager to gain revenge for last season’s 3-0 defeat against the U’s.

“Colchester was probably our worst display of the season last year,” he told the Bury Times. “So we’ll be looking to put things right. I know all the lads feel the same way.

Elsewhere, the Shakers have no fitness concerns barring long-term knee injury absentees Phil Picken and Lenell John-Lewis.

Forward John-Lewis is around a fortnight away from a return to training and could be ready for match action in time for the busy festive period.

Colchester v Bury preview

admin

Colchester captain Kem Izzet is back in training but unlikely to be fit.

The midfielder has been sidelined for six weeks with a hip injury.

Boss Joe Dunne has no new injury problems but watched the U’s fall to a third successive defeat in the space of a week as they went down 3-2 at Crewe last Saturday.

He must now decide whether to stick with the same XI or mix things up against the Shakers in order to rediscover that winning formula.

Dunne handed a start to loan signing John Sullivan and the goalkeeper is set to keep his place between the sticks, while fellow new boy Josh Thompson could come in for his first appearance having been an unused substitute at Gresty Road.

Bury boss Kevin Blackwell will assess the fitness of David Healy.

Veteran striker Healy rested on Thursday having returned from international duty with Northern Ireland, who drew 1-1 with Azerbaijan the previous evening.

The resurgent Shakers could move out of the relegation zone if results go their way this weekend and defender Joe Skarz is eager to gain revenge for last season’s 3-0 defeat against the U’s.

“Colchester was probably our worst display of the season last year,” he told the Bury Times. “So we’ll be looking to put things right. I know all the lads feel the same way.

Elsewhere, the Shakers have no fitness concerns barring long-term knee injury absentees Phil Picken and Lenell John-Lewis.

Forward John-Lewis is around a fortnight away from a return to training and could be ready for match action in time for the busy festive period.

Colchester v Bury preview

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Colchester will be without Ashley Vincent and Steven Gillespie.

Winger Vincent, who has only recently returned from over two months out with a knee injury, was forced off after just 20 minutes of last weekend’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Swindon nursing a hamstring tear and now faces around four weeks on the sidelines.

Striker Gillespie replaced Vincent but picked up his fifth booking of the season on the stroke of half-time and now serves an automatic one-match suspension.

Defender Magnus Okuonghae was also forced off with a knock late on in the cup tie and will be assessed prior to the encounter against Richie Barker’s Shakers.

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole could come back into the reckoning having played an hour for Colchester’s reserves in midweek on his comeback from groin surgery, although a starting berth is likely to be too soon.

Bury defender Mark Hughes is the only absentee for manager Richie Barker to contend with.

Hughes serves the final game of a three-match suspension following his sending off in the FA Cup defeat to Crawley.

On-loan Hull forward Mark Cullen has trained with the Shakers all week and is fit to take part after returning from his parent club.

Cullen has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury in the September defeat to Chesterfield, but the 19-year-old is ready to add to his four Bury appearances to date.

The second round of the FA Cup brought an enforced break for the Shakers last weekend and defender Ashley Eastham is eager for his team-mates to maintain their composure following victory in the previous three league matches.

“We’ve had a little rest for a few days and we now need to make sure we’re ready for the Colchester game,” he told the Bury Times. “We’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and realise we’ve just come up this season and our priority is to stay in League One.”

Colchester v Bury preview

admin

Colchester will be without Ashley Vincent and Steven Gillespie.

Winger Vincent, who has only recently returned from over two months out with a knee injury, was forced off after just 20 minutes of last weekend’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Swindon nursing a hamstring tear and now faces around four weeks on the sidelines.

Striker Gillespie replaced Vincent but picked up his fifth booking of the season on the stroke of half-time and now serves an automatic one-match suspension.

Defender Magnus Okuonghae was also forced off with a knock late on in the cup tie and will be assessed prior to the encounter against Richie Barker’s Shakers.

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole could come back into the reckoning having played an hour for Colchester’s reserves in midweek on his comeback from groin surgery, although a starting berth is likely to be too soon.

Bury defender Mark Hughes is the only absentee for manager Richie Barker to contend with.

Hughes serves the final game of a three-match suspension following his sending off in the FA Cup defeat to Crawley.

On-loan Hull forward Mark Cullen has trained with the Shakers all week and is fit to take part after returning from his parent club.

Cullen has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury in the September defeat to Chesterfield, but the 19-year-old is ready to add to his four Bury appearances to date.

The second round of the FA Cup brought an enforced break for the Shakers last weekend and defender Ashley Eastham is eager for his team-mates to maintain their composure following victory in the previous three league matches.

“We’ve had a little rest for a few days and we now need to make sure we’re ready for the Colchester game,” he told the Bury Times. “We’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and realise we’ve just come up this season and our priority is to stay in League One.”