Manager Steve Whitton's plans to field a strong squad at Luton Town have been hit by illness and suspension.

With three days to go to the Second Division clash at Kenilworth Road, two Colchester United players are already definitely ruled out while another three are currently rated as very doubtful.

In-form defender Alan White and striker Tony Lock are serving one and seven-match suspensions respectively, while club captain Simon Clark - who has missed the past five games following a fatal car accident - has now been laid low by a virus.

Last season's leading marksman Steve McGavin has not trained this week because of tonsillitis and fullback Joe Keith has still not recovered after having his tonsils out two weeks ago.

On the brighter side, on-loan striker Barry Conlon resumed training yesterday following a short illness.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.