COLCHESTER United host Bradford City in League Two this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).
The U’s are aiming to build on their Bristol Street Motors Trophy win over Arsenal under-21s with another victory, as they return to league action against the tenth-placed Bantams.
Here’s all you need to know, ahead of the U’s home clash at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Team news
Colchester boss Danny Cowley must decide whether to start with Samson Tovide or name him among the substitutes.
Tovide made a big impact off the bench in the second half at Barrow last weekend, providing the assist for Lyle Taylor's stoppage-time equaliser in his comeback from injury.
Colchester will check on the fitness of right-back Rob Hunt, after he suffered a calf problem at Barrow.
Owura Edwards and Teddy Bishop have both returned to training but the game may come too soon for them.
U's boss Cowley has decisions to make after making several changes to his starting line-up in the impressive 3-0 win over Arsenal under-21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, in midweek.
Milton Oni is out for several months after he suffered a serious knee injury against Brentford.
Predicted line-ups:
Colchester United: Macey, Egbo, Flanagan, Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell, Woodyard, Payne, Anderson, Gordon, Taylor
Bradford City: S Walker, Halliday, Byrne, Shepherd, Benn, Smallwood, Richards, J Walker, Oduor, Sanderson, Cook
Colchester head coach Danny Cowley on Bradford game:
“For us, we always try to attack our home games.
“We know how we want to play.
“We like to defend early, we want to get pressure on the ball whenever possible.
“Sometimes, teams don’t always allow you to do that but when they do, this is obviously how we like to play.
“When we’re in possession, it’s always to be purposeful and we like to play forward and think forward and run forward.
“We like our players to speed the game up, whether that’s taking it on the back foot and taking the space and playing through the space or whether that’s making runs to win the back of defenders, this is how we like the game to be played."
Head to head
Aaron Donnelly will be aiming to continue his impressive form for Colchester, in central defence.
He is set to come up against Bradford's experienced striker Andy Cook, who scored in the game between the two sides at the JobServe Community Stadium last season.
Last meeting
Colchester drew 1-1 with Bradford when the two sides last met in League Two, in January.
Andy Cook gave the Bantams a first-half lead but Tom Hopper's equaliser after the break ensured the U's shared the spoils at the JobServe Community Stadium, in Danny Cowley's first home match in charge of the U's.
Referee
Carl Brook is the man in the middle today.
The Scottish official has presided over 13 games so far this season, showing 60 yellow cards and one red.
Colchester are 13/8 to beat Bradford today, according to bookmakers Paddy Power.
The draw is 23/10, while a Bradford victory is 13/8.
Opposition view
Bradford boss Graham Alexander told the club's website:
“I believe in the growth our squad has had; it is the tough times that give us the biggest improvement and growth as people and players.
"That is when you understand who is in the changing room with you and if you can trust them to compete, even when it might not be going your way.”
League Two fixtures, today: Accrington Stanley v Swindon Town, Barrow v AFC Wimbledon, Bromley v Carlisle United, Colchester United v Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra v Notts County, Doncaster Rovers v Salford City, Harrogate Town v Chesterfield, Milton Keynes Dons v Cheltenham Town, Morecambe v Port Vale, Newport County v Grimsby Town.
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