MIKE Williamson has already been to Colchester United home games more than some U’s supporters, this season.

The newly-installed Carlisle United boss is preparing for his third visit to the JobServe Community Stadium of the campaign this weekend, as they take on the U’s.

Williamson has already managed former club MK Dons at Colchester twice this season, suffering a 2-0 defeat in League Two and a 2-1 reverse in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

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The former Newcastle United defender is getting ready for his fourth game in charge of Carlisle, who are aiming to bounce back from consecutive home defeats.

Williamson said: “We know what we're going to get there.

“They [Colchester] are disciplined and they've got good detail, obviously.

“The Cowley brothers [Danny and assistant Nicky] have a lot of energy, they've got a lot of experience, and they will have a plan, and we've seen that already.

“They've got some very experienced players, some really hard-working players.

“They've got a big physical presence up top, and a really honest, hard-working group of lads who are organised, so that's going to be hard, we're going to have to match that.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“But, pulling on what we saw [in the second half against Notts County on Tuesday], we've got more than enough in that respect, so we've just got to make sure we dust ourselves off and get ourselves as prepared as we can.”

Colchester boss Danny Cowley is expecting Williamson to be familiar with the U’s, after his games against them already this season.

"The quirks of football - it'll be three times now so he'll be familiar with our stadium and familiar with our team, for sure,” said Cowley.

"We obviously have a good idea of how he wants to play.

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"Obviously he's in the infancy of his role there.

"I think it shows the ambition of Carlisle United that they're able to take one of the best young managers in the division from one of their biggest rivals.

"We anticipate a really tough game.

"I know they haven't had the start to the season that they would have liked but you've only got to look at work of Mike and his staff and also the quality of players that they have to know that they will get it right, sooner rather than later.

"We anticipate them being right at the top of the division."