COLCHESTER United travel to play promotion-chasing Northampton Town this afternoon (kick-off 2pm).

The U's are aiming to claim a vital victory following their 2-2 draw with Carlisle United, last weekend.

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 Sixfields.

U's team news

Colchester are set to welcome back at least two players for their game at Northampton.

Striker John Akinde (pictured below) is expected to return having missed the U's last three games due to Covid.

Noah Chilvers, who has missed Colchester's last five games with a quad injury, is also set to be back after returning to training.

Defender Tom Dallison will be assessed following his quad problem.

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

Gazette:

U's interim head coach Wayne Brown on Northampton test

“There’s loads of stuff to build on from a real good performance that we had last Saturday where we created opportunities to score goals; having 18 attempts at goal in any match is enough to win games of football.

“We were obviously frustrated that we didn’t but there were loads of positives to come out of the Carlisle game – not just the way that we played but the opportunities that we created.

“Our mindset will be no different.

“We’re going into a game of football, 90 minutes away from home where we feel we can get a win.

“That’s going to be the objective, come Saturday."

Predicted line-ups

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

Northampton Town: Roberts, Magloire, Guthrie, Horsfall, Hoskins, Lewis, Pollock, Koiki, Pinnock, Lubala, Appere

Gazette:

Last meeting

Colchester were beaten 1-0 at home by Northampton when the two teams met at the JobServe Community Stadium, last August.

Jon Guthrie's 22nd-minute strike proved the difference between the two teams, despite the Cobblers having Fraser Horsfall sent off late on.

Opposition view

Northampton boss Jon Brady told the Northampton website:

“Every game is a tough challenge in this league.

“Colchester have picked up some good results in the last six games , they made some good signings in January and they seem to be rejuvenated.

“You can’t underestimate any team in this league but we know what our focus is and that’s to try and win the game.

“We know what we have to do to try and achieve that and that’s our focus.

“It’s a tight league where any team can beat any other on their day and sometimes it’s about finding that little bit extra to get the win."

Gazette:

Odds

Colchester are 17/4 to claim an important victory this afternoon, according to the bookmakers. Northampton are 7/10, while the draw is 13/5.

Referee

Ben Toner has presided over 23 games so far, this season. The Lancashire official has shown 67 yellow cards and three reds.

Fixtures, League Two, Saturday (3pm unless stated)

Carlisle United v Swindon Town, Forest Green Rovers v Walsall, Harrogate Town v Leyton Orient, Hartlepool United v Sutton United, Newport County v Mansfield Town, Northampton Town v Colchester United (2pm), Oldham Athletic v Bradford City, Salford City v Crawley Town, Scunthorpe United v Rochdale, Stevenage v Bristol Rovers, Tranmere Rovers v Port Vale.