Manager Steve Whitton is aiming to cap what has been a big week for Colchester United with an East Anglian derby win over old rivals Cambridge United.

After exciting young duo Thomas Pinault and Joe Keith both committed themselves to long-term contracts this week, Whitton now wants success on the pitch.

The U's boss said: "To get two promising bright and attack-minded boys, boasting so much potential, signed up long-term is great. Now I want to see their potential turned into positive results.

"Derby matches are one offs, wherever the two teams are in the League table and with a good crowd and a great atmosphere it is vital we get off to a strong start. Find out more about Colchester United FC "Cambridge are sure to come at us, that's their style of game, so we've got to go out and impose ourselves and play the game at our pace.

"Our home form is excellent so I want to extend that good record."

The U's are currently six points ahead of Cambridge in the Second Division table and Whitton said: "We must go all out to open that gap to nine points by the end of tomorrow."

Colchester have won six of their seven League and cup outings at Layer Road to date, but will once again be without injured central defender Scott Fitzgerald, plus David Gregory, Joe Dunne and Chris Keeble.

Fitzgerald is recovering slowly from the thigh injury that has forced him to miss the last five matches, while Gregory visited a specialist this week as a precautionary measure following a recurring knee injury.

Midfielder Bobby Bowry, who suffered a calf muscle injury against Swindon in the midweek LDV Vans Trophy win, is only rated as having a 50-50 chance of making the starting line-up.

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