COLCHESTER United host Port Vale today, as they look for a valuable win to boost their League Two survival hopes.

The U's lie two points clear of the relegation zone, heading into their game with play-off chasing Vale at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester are aiming to claim their first win in seven matches, following the 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient, on Tuesday night.

From team news to line-ups, key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below ahead of the game.

U's team news

Colchester will check on the fitness of midfielder Cole Skuse (pictured below) ahead of the game against Vale.

The experienced former Ipswich Town man suffered a cut to his head in his side’s 2-2 draw against Leyton Orient, forcing him off in the first half.

Emyr Huws replaced Skuse as a result and could keep his place, if Skuse is unavailable.

Colchester interim head coach Wayne Brown revealed in his pre-match press conference that they have one or two injury worries that they will need to assess, ahead of the game.

Left-back Ryan Clampin remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Gazette:

Colchester interim head coach Wayne Brown (pictured below)

“We are creating and we are scoring but we’re going to have to continue to do that to win games of football.

“We’re in a position where we need wins.

“You could argue that scoring two at home should be enough, especially when you restrict the team you’re playing to six shots.

“But mistakes were made, not just on Tuesday but also in previous games.

“It’s about eradicating those mistakes in the best way we can, deal with them, address them but ultimately you have to react to the mistakes.

“We can’t show disappointment though; I thought the lads were spot on, on Tuesday in the fact that they kept going, they didn’t show disappointment.

“We got two goals, could have got a third to see them game off so the reaction from the disappointment was very good."

Gazette:

Predicted line-ups

Colchester United: George, Coxe, Chambers, Dallison, Kenlock, Skuse, Chilvers, Edwards, Judge, Hannant, Sears

Port Vale: Holy, Hall, Smith, Martin, Hussey, Garrity, Gibbons, Pett, Edmondson, Cooper, Wilson

Last meeting

Colchester United were soundly beaten when they made the trip to play Port Vale, last October.

The U’s lost 3-0, with goals from James Gibbons, James Wilson and Aaron Martin sealing the hosts’ win.

Gazette:

Opposition view

Port Vale assistant manager Andy Crosby

"They (Colchester) find themselves in the bottom reaches of the table. It’s got very tight at the bottom so every game is important for them, just as it is for us.

“They will approach the game how they want to do it and we will take care of ourselves.

"It is the next game so becomes the most important one. Will it define our season? No.

“Will it finish our week off in a really good manner if we win? Absolutely and that is what we are going there to do. To try to perform well to give us the best chance to get three points.”

Gazette:

Odds

Colchester are viewed at 21/10 to gain their first home win since November. Vale are 7/5 for the victory, with the draw 9/4.

Referee

The man in the middle today is Brett Huxtable.

The Devon official has shown 51 yellow cards in his 17 games so far this season but no red cards.

He officiated Colchester’s Papa John’s Trophy game with Gillingham, last September.

Fixtures, League Two, today (kick-off 3pm unless stated)

Harrogate Town v Hartlepool United (12.30pm), Barrow v Walsall, Bradford City v Swindon Town, Colchester United v Port Vale, Crawley Town v Scunthorpe United, Leyton Orient v Stevenage, Newport County v Bristol Rovers, Northampton Town v Tranmere Rovers, Oldham Athletic v Carlisle United, Salford City v Forest Green Rovers, Sutton United v Rochdale.