Colchester United face a crucial basement battle tomorrow night when they travel to play bottom side Grimsby Town, kick-off 5.30pm.
From team news to key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below.
Key battle
Brendan Wiredu has impressed in Colchester’s midfield since joining them on a permanent basis from Charlton Athletic, last month.
The 21-year-old was just starting school at the same time his Grimsby counterpart Giles Coke was beginning his career at QPR.
The former Ipswich Town midfielder, 34, joined the Mariners last month and has featured in their last two games.
Last meeting
Colchester moved to within a point of the League Two play-offs with a 2-1 victory over Grimsby, last December.
Goals either side of the break from Tommy Smith and Callum Harriott were enough to give the U’s victory, despite Luke Hendrie’s equaliser.
It was the perfect way for Colchester to welcome supporters back to their stadium for the first time in more than nine months, as nearly 1,000 spectators attended the League Two clash.
Referee
Marc Edwards
Has presided over 23 games so far this season, the majority of which have been in League One.
He has dished out 83 yellows and one red card so far, this season.
Team news
Colchester are hopeful that goalkeeper Shamal George will be fit for their trip to Blundell Park.
The former Liverpool keeper suffered a shoulder injury in the U’s 3-0 loss at Harrogate Town, on Tuesday night.
However, he completed the 90 minutes and interim first-team boss Wayne Brown is hopeful George will be available.
Brown said: “We’ve looked at Sham and he’s shown no real ill effects.
“He’s obviously a little bit sore as you would expect, after taking a bang to the shoulder.
“But he’s a strong boy and he’ll be fine.”
Colchester could also be boosted by the return of playmaker Ben Stevenson for the vital clash at Grimsby.
The 23-year-old has not featured for the U’s since their home defeat against Exeter City last month but returned to training, this week.
“Ben trained for the first time on Thursday, so it’s about how he reacts to that,” said Brown.
“That will obviously depend on his involvement on Saturday.”
Skipper Harry Pell is pushing for a start after returning from injury as a half-time substitute at Harrogate.
Frank Nouble is available again after serving his one-match suspension but Dean Gerken and and Tom Lapslie are unlikely to be fit.
Probable U’s side:
George, Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith, Clampin, Wiredu, Pell, Cowan-Hall, Brown, Harriott, Nouble.
Odds:
Colchester are regarded as 9/5 by the bookmakers to get a crucial win, tomorrow night. The draw is 21/10 while Grimsby are regarded at 6/4 for a victory.
League Two fixtures:
Leyton Orient v Scunthorpe United, Carlisle United v Bradford City, Crawley Town v Mansfield Town, Exeter City v Cheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers v Harrogate Town, Morecambe v Newport County, Oldham Athletic v Cambridge United, Port Vale v Bolton Wanderers, Southend United v Stevenage, Grimsby Town v Colchester United.
