BEN Garner is mulling over the possibility of a change of formation for Colchester United ahead of their trip to play League Two leaders Leyton Orient, this weekend.

With Connor Wood unavailable to play against his parent club, the U’s boss will have to make changes to his starting line-up for the game at Brisbane Road.

The likes of Al-Amin Kazeem and Will Greenidge are in contention to replace Wood at left wing-back, if Colchester stick with their now familiar 3-4-1-2 system.

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However, U’s head coach Garner has revealed he is also looking at other alternatives, as he prepares his side for their trip down the A12 to face the table-topping O’s.

Garner said: “We’ve looked at different options this week, both as a direct replacement if you like and also a different shape.

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“We’ve looked at different ways of playing against Leyton Orient and different ways of setting our team up if you like and there’s been some really good competition, on that front which is what we want.

“We’ll make that decision tomorrow, going into the game.”

Arthur Read is unlikely to be fit for the game, having not trained this week.

The midfielder missed Colchester’s 1-0 defeat to Stockport County last weekend with a soleus shin injury.

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“Arthur’s probably doubtful, to be honest,” said Garner.

“He’s not trained as yet.

“We’re hoping he’ll be out on the grass for the first time on Friday but I’d be leaning more towards doubtful for Saturday than likely to be involved.

“He’s had a week now in terms of recovery and rehab and if he can’t make Saturday, then I would definitely hope he’d be back involved for Tranmere, next weekend.”

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Colchester will also check on the fitness of captain Tommy Smith, ahead of this weekend’s game.

The 32-year-old defender, who is due to fly out to link up with the New Zealand squad this weekend, has missed the last two U’s games through injury but returned to training today.

Garner said: “We’ll see how that reacts in the morning and whether or not Saturday comes too soon.

“I’m obviously aware that he’s due to go away with New Zealand on Saturday as well, so we’ll make a call on that tomorrow (Friday) and see how he is after what he did on Thursday.

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“He had a knock prior to me coming in and then when Ross was in interim charge, he joined in for a day and tried to get back and still wasn’t right.

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“He’s now had the recovery from what he had and did a full session today and looked fine, so fingers crossed that he’ll be back, if not for Saturday then at least for international duty and then he’ll be in good shape for us when he comes back.”

Striker Samson Tovide is set to return to the Colchester squad for the Orient game, after missing their defeat to Stockport.

Garner added: “It was a personal matter with Samson, last week.

“He’s trained this week and he’s back involved but he wasn’t available, last weekend.”