TEAMtalk

Wycombe v Colchester preview

Monday 08-August-2011 17:23

Colchester boss John Ward is likely to take an unchanged squad to Wycombe.

Ward watched his charges triumph 4-2 away to League One promotion hopefuls Preston on the opening day and will be reluctant to make too many changes, although he may opt to freshen up his XI with one or two new faces.

Striker Steven Gillespie (groin) was deemed fit enough for a place on the bench at Deepdale and although he never featured is likely to get a run out in some capacity against Wycombe, yet whether he starts remains to be seen.

As will summer signings Tom Eastman and Karl Duguid who, having failed to feature in the Us' matchday 16 against North End, will surely benefit from Ward being able to name seven substitutes in the Carling Cup.

A decision will have to be made on midfielder Andy Bond after he missed out at the weekend as a result of the serious head injury he sustained during a recent friendly against Ipswich.

Goalkeeper Ben Williams (viral infection) and midfielder Jordan Sanderson (foot) again miss out.

Manager Gary Waddock will make changes to his side for Wycombe's Carling Cup first round tie at home to Colchester.

Waddock did not reveal what those changes would be, but one enforced change will be in attack following Ben Strevens' red card against Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Strevens was sent off for a second bookable offence in injury time and will serve a one-match suspension.

Stuart Beavon could replace Strevens, while defenders Leon Johnson and Marvin McCoy and midfielders Ben Harding and Kadeem Harris could also come into contention for starts.

Midfielders Matt Bloomfield (groin) and Stuart Lewis (virus) and on-loan striker Elliot Benyon (broken hand) are still out.

Waddock hopes Lewis could be fit in time for Saturday, when Wanderers travel to Colchester in the league.