Colchester v Oldham preview

admin

Colchester will begin their seventh straight season in League One with a home game against Oldham as the U’s seek to improve on last term’s 16th-placed finish.

Joe Dunne’s side got off to a fast start 12 months ago when claiming back-to-back wins against Gillingham and Port Vale and also closed with a couple of victories versus Brentford and Walsall.

Dunne has since brought in Sean Clohessy and Ben Gordon from north of the border, with that pair arriving from Kilmarnock and Ross County respectively, while highly-rated West Ham youngster John Moncur joins on loan until January.

Dagenham’s Chris Lewington, Dan Holman from Braintree and Crewe’s Dominic Smith are other new recruits, while veteran defender Magnus Okuonghae has been named skipper and Clohessy vice-captain, but Tosin Olufemi will be out of action for months after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

Oldham will have a much-changed starting XI to open up the new campaign, and they will also be without their captain.

Adam Lockwood, who was appointed skipper for the new season following Korey Smith’s exit, has a foot problem and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Jonathan Grounds, James Wesolowski and Smith, three of Latics’ key performers last season, have all sought pastures new with Lee Johnson bringing in eight new faces, including former Colchester captain Brian Wilson.

Striker Rhys Turner suffered a grade-two hip flexor injury over the summer and has been undergoing extra work with the medical department.

Colchester v Oldham preview

admin

Colchester will begin their seventh straight season in League One with a home game against Oldham as the U’s seek to improve on last term’s 16th-placed finish.

Joe Dunne’s side got off to a fast start 12 months ago when claiming back-to-back wins against Gillingham and Port Vale and also closed with a couple of victories versus Brentford and Walsall.

Dunne has since brought in Sean Clohessy and Ben Gordon from north of the border, with that pair arriving from Kilmarnock and Ross County respectively, while highly-rated West Ham youngster John Moncur joins on loan until January.

Dagenham’s Chris Lewington, Dan Holman from Braintree and Crewe’s Dominic Smith are other new recruits, while veteran defender Magnus Okuonghae has been named skipper and Clohessy vice-captain, but Tosin Olufemi will be out of action for months after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

Oldham will have a much-changed starting XI to open up the new campaign, and they will also be without their captain.

Adam Lockwood, who was appointed skipper for the new season following Korey Smith’s exit, has a foot problem and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Jonathan Grounds, James Wesolowski and Smith, three of Latics’ key performers last season, have all sought pastures new with Lee Johnson bringing in eight new faces, including former Colchester captain Brian Wilson.

Striker Rhys Turner suffered a grade-two hip flexor injury over the summer and has been undergoing extra work with the medical department.

Colchester v Oldham preview

admin

Colchester boss Joe Dunne could name an unchanged side for the home clash with Oldham after a vital win last time out.

Last Saturday’s 3-2 victory at relegation rivals Stevenage ended a run of four straight defeats and lifted the U’s three points clear of the relegation zone.

Craig Eastmond is available after completing his two-match ban, while Sanchez Watt (quad) will continue to play through the pain barrier.

On-loan Crystal Palace defender Alex Wynter made his first start for the club last weekend and he is likely to retain his place.

Loanee Joel Byrom could make his return when Oldham visit Colchester after a 13-day break.

Latics’ clash with Sheffield United last weekend was postponed due to the Yorkshire club’s involvement in the FA Cup and that has given time for any minor problems to heal.

Midfielder Byrom, borrowed from Preston, has impressed in training following the hamstring problem which has restricted him to just one appearance so far.

Both winger James Dayton and striker Charlie MacDonald have also caught manager Lee Johnson’s eye in training and could come into the XI. However, defender Genseric Kusunga’s injury woes continue with his latest hamstring setback likely to keep him on the sidelines once more.

Colchester v Oldham preview

admin

Colchester boss Joe Dunne could name an unchanged side for the home clash with Oldham after a vital win last time out.

Last Saturday’s 3-2 victory at relegation rivals Stevenage ended a run of four straight defeats and lifted the U’s three points clear of the relegation zone.

Craig Eastmond is available after completing his two-match ban, while Sanchez Watt (quad) will continue to play through the pain barrier.

On-loan Crystal Palace defender Alex Wynter made his first start for the club last weekend and he is likely to retain his place.

Loanee Joel Byrom could make his return when Oldham visit Colchester after a 13-day break.

Latics’ clash with Sheffield United last weekend was postponed due to the Yorkshire club’s involvement in the FA Cup and that has given time for any minor problems to heal.

Midfielder Byrom, borrowed from Preston, has impressed in training following the hamstring problem which has restricted him to just one appearance so far.

Both winger James Dayton and striker Charlie MacDonald have also caught manager Lee Johnson’s eye in training and could come into the XI. However, defender Genseric Kusunga’s injury woes continue with his latest hamstring setback likely to keep him on the sidelines once more.

Colchester v Oldham preview

admin

Goalkeeper Mark Cousins returns to contention for Colchester.

On-loan stopper John Sullivan has gone back to Charlton following his month-long stay, with his final appearance coming in the U’s last game as they went down 5-1 at MK Dons two weeks ago.

Forward Gavin Massey was sent off in that encounter and so now starts a three-match ban. Teenage winger Drey Wright will take his place on the bench.

Striker Jabo Ibehre was ineligible to face his parent club at stadiummk but returns against the Latics and is set to go straight into manager Joe Dunne’s starting XI.

Midfielder Kem Izzet has been thwarted by the weather in his efforts to make his comeback from a hip injury, having seen two Essex Senior Cup ties and one Under-21 game postponed. It remains to be seen whether he makes the bench.

Oldham defender Cliff Byrne is back from suspension.

Byrne accumulated five yellow cards to rule him out of last weekend’s 3-1 FA Cup triumph over League One counterparts Doncaster.

The impressive nature of the Boundary Park triumph points towards Dickov naming an unchanged XI, meaning places among the substitutes for Byrne and Robbie Simpson – who has been laid low this week by illness.

If Byrne was to start it would probably mean on-loan Manchester City defender Reece Wabara reverting to his customary role of right-back and Connor Brown making way to accommodate the former Scunthorpe man at the heart of the defence.

Alex Cisak will continue in goal as Dean Bouzanis serves the second game of a three-match ban for his sending-off at Doncaster in the league 10 days ago.

On-loan Nottingham Forest forward Matt Derbyshire, who ended a nine-game goal drought with a brace last weekend, is set to start alongside Jose Baxter in attack.

Colchester v Oldham preview

admin

Magnus Okuonghae and Michail Antonio have shrugged off knocks and are expected to line up for Colchester.

Defender Okuonghae was forced off in the 77th minute of last Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Huddersfield nursing a kick to an ankle, a withdrawal which followed that of forward Antonio who was replaced at half-time with a similar complaint.

However, both have recovered and will be looking to help the Us get back on track after a four-match winless streak in all competitions stretching back the club’s promising 4-2 opening-day victory at Preston.

Goalkeeper Ben Williams played 90 minutes for Colchester’s reserves in midweek having completed his recovery from a serious viral infection and is pushing to be included in John Ward’s matchday 16 for the first time this season.

Midfielder Andy Bond returned from his head injury as a second-half substitute at the Galpharm Stadium last weekend and is aiming to start against the Latics, with Ward surely considering changes in order to reverse his side’s fortunes.

Forward Ashley Vincent (knee) remains around five weeks away from his return.

Oldham boss Paul Dickov is boosted by the return of centre-back Jean-Yves M’voto for the trip.

The defender served a one-match ban during last weekend’s 2-0 home win over derby rivals Rochdale.

Dickov now has three central defenders – M’voto, Nathan Clarke and Zander Diamond – battling it out for two positions.

Clarke and Diamond seem certain to retain their places after keeping a clean sheet last Saturday, leaving M’voto on the bench.

Dickov has no other major injury or suspension concerns as the Latics seek to build on their derby victory.

Dickov said of last weekend’s win: “I asked the boys, before anything football-wise, to give me desire, commitment and the right attitude. They did that and got the rewards.”

Colchester v Oldham preview

admin

Magnus Okuonghae and Michail Antonio have shrugged off knocks and are expected to line up for Colchester.

Defender Okuonghae was forced off in the 77th minute of last Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Huddersfield nursing a kick to an ankle, a withdrawal which followed that of forward Antonio who was replaced at half-time with a similar complaint.

However, both have recovered and will be looking to help the Us get back on track after a four-match winless streak in all competitions stretching back the club’s promising 4-2 opening-day victory at Preston.

Goalkeeper Ben Williams played 90 minutes for Colchester’s reserves in midweek having completed his recovery from a serious viral infection and is pushing to be included in John Ward’s matchday 16 for the first time this season.

Midfielder Andy Bond returned from his head injury as a second-half substitute at the Galpharm Stadium last weekend and is aiming to start against the Latics, with Ward surely considering changes in order to reverse his side’s fortunes.

Forward Ashley Vincent (knee) remains around five weeks away from his return.

Oldham boss Paul Dickov is boosted by the return of centre-back Jean-Yves M’voto for the trip.

The defender served a one-match ban during last weekend’s 2-0 home win over derby rivals Rochdale.

Dickov now has three central defenders – M’voto, Nathan Clarke and Zander Diamond – battling it out for two positions.

Clarke and Diamond seem certain to retain their places after keeping a clean sheet last Saturday, leaving M’voto on the bench.

Dickov has no other major injury or suspension concerns as the Latics seek to build on their derby victory.

Dickov said of last weekend’s win: “I asked the boys, before anything football-wise, to give me desire, commitment and the right attitude. They did that and got the rewards.”

Colchester v Oldham preview

admin

Oldham boss Paul Dickov could be without Chris Taylor and Filipe Morais.

Winger Taylor has been struck down by mumps and missed Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to leaders Brighton.

Midfielder Morais is an injury doubt after sustaining a hamstring strain against the Seagulls and was replaced in the closing stages.

The result stretched Oldham’s winless run to 10 games and striker Warren Feeney will miss the game with Colchester and next Monday’s home clash against Tranmere.

Feeney has reported for Northern Ireland duty as they prepare for two Euro 2012 qualifiers in Serbia on Friday and at home to Slovenia next Tuesday.

It was initially thought Feeney would only miss the Tranmere match, but because of the five-day ruling he will now miss the trip to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester welcome back striker David Mooney.

On-loan Reading man Mooney completed his three-match ban for the red card he received in the 2-0 defeat to Southampton earlier this month by sitting out Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Tranmere.

Fellow loanee Tommy Smith made his debut at the weekend after joining from Ipswich and was one of three changes in the back four, with Ben Coker and Brian Wilson being recalled in the full-back positions. With the trio largely impressing they should keep their places.

The U’s, who have lost their last four matches, are in desperate need of more attacking threat meaning Andy Bond could start on the wing after looking dangerous in a 20-minute cameo against Rovers, while Ian Henderson is pushing for a place up front.

Winger Medy Elito has been recalled early from his loan spell at Cheltenham, but is unlikely to make the squad.

United remain without defender Magnus Okuonghae (ankle), who is out for the rest of the season, while Pat Baldwin continues to struggle with a long-term Achilles problem.

Colchester v Oldham preview

admin

Oldham boss Paul Dickov could be without Chris Taylor and Filipe Morais.

Winger Taylor has been struck down by mumps and missed Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to leaders Brighton.

Midfielder Morais is an injury doubt after sustaining a hamstring strain against the Seagulls and was replaced in the closing stages.

The result stretched Oldham’s winless run to 10 games and striker Warren Feeney will miss the game with Colchester and next Monday’s home clash against Tranmere.

Feeney has reported for Northern Ireland duty as they prepare for two Euro 2012 qualifiers in Serbia on Friday and at home to Slovenia next Tuesday.

It was initially thought Feeney would only miss the Tranmere match, but because of the five-day ruling he will now miss the trip to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester welcome back striker David Mooney.

On-loan Reading man Mooney completed his three-match ban for the red card he received in the 2-0 defeat to Southampton earlier this month by sitting out Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Tranmere.

Fellow loanee Tommy Smith made his debut at the weekend after joining from Ipswich and was one of three changes in the back four, with Ben Coker and Brian Wilson being recalled in the full-back positions. With the trio largely impressing they should keep their places.

The U’s, who have lost their last four matches, are in desperate need of more attacking threat meaning Andy Bond could start on the wing after looking dangerous in a 20-minute cameo against Rovers, while Ian Henderson is pushing for a place up front.

Winger Medy Elito has been recalled early from his loan spell at Cheltenham, but is unlikely to make the squad.

United remain without defender Magnus Okuonghae (ankle), who is out for the rest of the season, while Pat Baldwin continues to struggle with a long-term Achilles problem.