Colchester United travel to play Bristol Rovers in League Two

The U's lie eight points clear of the relegation zone, heading into their game with the Gas at the Memorial Stadium.

Colchester are aiming to extend their unbeaten run to five matches, following back-to-back wins.

From team news to line-ups, key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below ahead of the game (kick-off 7.45pm).

U's team news

Colchester will check on the fitness of duo Tom Dallison and Emyr Huws, ahead of their game at the Memorial Stadium.

The duo were rested for the game at Scunthorpe United last weekend.

Alan Judge will also be assessed after he missed the U's last two matches, due to injury.

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

Colchester interim head coach Wayne Brown

“We’re on a good little run and we’ve picked up some real good points.

“That’s eight in the last four and that’s two points a game, so the lads have got to take a lot of encouragement from that and take it into the Bristol Rovers match."

Predicted line-ups

Colchester United: George, Coxe, Chambers, Smith, Kenlock, Skuse, Wiredu, Edwards, Chilvers, Wright, Sears

Bristol Rovers: Belshaw, Hoole, Connolly, Taylor, Anderton, Anderson, Evans, Finley, Coutts, Anderson, Collins

Last meeting

Colchester drew 1-1 with Bristol Rovers when the two teams met at the JobServe Community Stadium, last October.

Brett Pitman gave Rovers the lead just before the hour but Noah Chilvers' late equaliser salvaged a point for the U's.

Colchester's Junior Tchamadeu and Rovers duo Cian Harries and Trevor Clarke were all sent off, in the closing stages.

Opposition view

Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton told Bristol Live:

"I think they (Colchester) are on 39 points now which probably gives them enough breathing space which could do one of two things: it could relax them and they could play better, or it relaxes them and they don’t play better.

"We can’t really focus on Colchester. They’ve got some threats, John Akinde a big unit. Freddie Sears who was at West Ham. Frank Nouble, I don’t know whether he’s fit for it, but he was there last time we played them. Alan Judge, Luke Chambers the centre half and Emyr Huws (pictured below) who we were offered about 15 times.

"They’ve got some good players in there. When I think back to the team who went to Colchester earlier in the season and drew and we had two sendings off. "I think Cian Harries and Trevor Clarke. They had one themselves as well. Brett Pitman scored a really good header.

"I think back to that game and it was a bit harum-scarum for the first 15 minutes.

"After the game settled, it was one of the away performances where we started to take a little bit more control, albeit we never capitalised and took maximum points.

"We know it will be a tough fixture. If we start with the right intensity and we focus on us, we’ve proven in recent months that we’re more than a match for anyone in the division.

"Colchester will be a tough task but we’re really confident going into it. Hopefully a nice big crowd again under the lights at the Mem and we can create a special atmosphere and have a special night."

Odds

Colchester are seen as 10/3 to claim a third successive win tonight. Rovers are 1/1 favourites, with the draw 5/2.

Referee

The man in the middle tonight is Sam Allison.

He has presided over 26 games so far this season, showing 103 yellow cards and six reds.

Fixtures, League Two, tonight (kick-off 7.45pm)

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