Colchester United host Carlisle United in vital fixture

The U's are aiming to bounce back after their 2-1 defeat at Mansfield Town, on Tuesday night.

Just three points separate Colchester and Carlisle in the table, with the U's sitting five points above the League Two relegation zone.

From team news to line-ups, key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below ahead of the game at the JobServe Community Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

U's team news

Colchester welcome back goalkeeper Shamal George, who has completed his three-match suspension.

Experienced midfielder Cole Skuse could also return after missing the Mansfield defeat with a gash to his forehead suffered against Orient.

Colchester will run the rule over Noah Chilvers, who has missed Colchester's last four games with a quad injury.

Emyr Huws and John Akinde will also be assessed but Tom Dallison is unlikely to be fit to return.

Ryan Clampin is a long-term absentee with a knee injury.

U's interim head coach Wayne Brown (pictured above):

“You’re hoping for a bit of a bounce from the group when you come in and a bit of buy in; for the players to take on board what you’re giving them and to try and consume a bit of information they are given.

“I think they’ve done it in every fixture we’ve asked of them and ultimately, we’ve had some really good results off the back of it."

Predicted line-ups

Colchester United: Hornby, Tchamadeu, Chambers, Smith, Kenlock, Skuse, Wiredu, Judge, Andrews, Edwards, Sears

Carlisle United: Howard, Riley, Feeney, Simeu, Armer, Windsor, Omari, Whelan, Devine, Omotoye, Sho-Silva

Last meeting

Colchester played out a goal-less draw with Carlisle on the opening day of the League Two season, at Brunton Park.

It was a hard-fought game, with U's keeper Shamal George making a number of key saves against his former club to ensure his side came away with a well-earned point.

Opposition view

Carlisle United boss Keith Millen

“It’s the next game. The next game gives you an opportunity to change that run.

“When we were on a good run, Forest Green was our next game, I wanted to continue the run and they beat us.

“I don’t particularly count the wins and the losses. It’s more a bounce back from the previous game.

“We’ve not been good enough, so that’s what I’m going to be talking about – a reaction from Tuesday.

"The lads understanding that we have to fight.

“The season isn’t going to be defined on Saturday. It’s not going to define where we end up, because there will still be 16 games left.

"But it can still set a tone that hopefully we can build on.”

Odds

Colchester are 11/8 to beat Carlisle, according to Paddy Power. A Carlisle victory is 2/1 while the draw is 11/5.

Referee

Lee Swabey from Devon is the man in the middle today.

He has presided over 20 games so far this season, showing 48 yellow cards and two reds.

Fixtures, League Two, Saturday (3pm)

Barrow v Stevenage, Bradford City v Exeter City, Bristol Rovers v Mansfield Town, Colchester United v Carlisle United, Crawley Town v Hartlepool United, Leyton Orient v Salford City, Newport County v Oldham Athletic, Port Vale v Northampton Town, Rochdale v Harrogate Town, Sutton United v Forest Green Rovers, Swindon Town v Scunthorpe United, Walsall v Tranmere Rovers.