Colchester United go into tonight's Layer Road clash with Luton Town seeking a first ever League win over the Hatters.

And while fans' favourite Joe Dunne will be back to make his return debut, U's boss Steve Whitton is forced to make a last minute selection because Alan White is not allowed to play, Aaron Skelton, Joe Keith and Jamie Moralee all have flu while Karl Duguid has not yet recovered from injury.

White, currently on a month's loan from Luton, cannot play in tonight's match as part of his loan deal.

But Whitton revealed today that he is keen to extend the former Middlesbrough central defender's loan spell to three months subject to his availability.

That very much depends on Efetobare Sodje's call up to the Nigerian squad unless the U's are prepared to fork out Kenilworth Road boss Lennie Lawrence's £50,000 asking price for a player who becomes a free agent at the end of the season anyway.

If Sodje impresses at the Nigerian training camp next week he is likely to be whipped away there and then for his country's African Nations Cup programme and White will have to end his loan spell after the U's Boxing Day clash at Gillingham.

Should Sodje fail to catch the Nigerian manager's eye he will return to Luton on Wednesday and that could pave the way for White to continue playing at Layer Road. "Everything is very much in limbo on that score at the moment," said Whitton.

"I am very keen to extend Alan White's stay to three months and we will have to see what happens after that."

Dunne, whose last game for the U's was in the 1-0 home win over Walsall on April 10, comes into the side tonight as a straight replacement for White.

And the game throws up further added spice in the fact that Luton's Adam Locke is a former U's player, while U's stars David Greene and Skelton both began their careers at Kenilworth Road.

"A lot of people will have a lot to prove tonight," said Whitton.

"We've got to overturn the history books to beat Luton and I will be looking for my lads to get stuck into them and ram home the fact that they have a very poor away record.

"Nothing less than three points will be enough for me. I want to win so that we can enjoy our Christmas well above the bottom four."

Whitton also revealed that he has not yet closed the door on a possible loan deal for Arsenal's Dublin-born reserve team defender Brian McGovern.

He said: "I understand the player is keen to join us, but I'm now waiting for someone from the Arsenal to confirm that.

he's back - fans' favourite Joe Dunne will make his return debut

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