The Valiants are nine unbeaten coming into this weekend’s fixture in Essex.

In the Dugout

Wayne Brown is the current interim manager at Colchester. He has previously been at Colchester in a caretaker role, these being in 2015 and 2021. He now oversees the playing side at the club whilst also managing Maldon & Tiptree who play in the Isthmian League North Division.

Brown on tomorrow’s game “Saturday will be a tough game, but I don't think we can look at the table and think that because they are doing well, it will be a tough game - they are all tough games”.

Man with the Armband

New Zealand international and Colchester captain Tommy Smith was born just up the road in Macclesfield and started his youth career at neighbours Crewe Alexandra. He moved to Ipswich Town in 2007 and made over 240 appearances for the club. Before moving to Colchester in 2020 Smith played for them in 2011 on loan from Ipswich making 6 appearances.

The centre-half has played 29 games in all competitions scoring once. That goal came in mid-February at home to Carlisle United.

Star Man

Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu spent his youth career at Charlton Athletic but never made a professional appearance for them. The 22-year-old instead went out on loan to Bromley and Colchester before making the move permanent and signing for Colchester last summer.

The midfielder has made 33 appearances in all competitions scoring once and getting three assists. Sarpong-Wiredu does like a tackle having been booked 11 times this season in all comps.

Top Scorer

31-year-old Freddie Sears is Colchester’s top scorer with twelve goals. His last goal was in a 1-0 away win in the capital against Leyton Orient.

Last time out and recent form

Colchester have lost two and drawn three of their last five games. The two defeats came against Northampton Town and Hartlepool United. But they got a point against Carlisle United and Oldham Athletic. In their most recent game, they hosted Leyton Orient.

The first half contained no goals but Orient took the lead in the second half through Ruel Sotiriou on 66 minutes before Myles Kenlock equalised nine minutes later. The hosts then went ahead on 79 minutes thanks to Owura Edwards. But in the third minute of stoppage time Ethan Coleman snatched a point.