Colchester United are on target for a bumper pay-day and sell-out crowd for Saturday's clash with former England star Ian Wright and promotion-chasing Burnley.

The U's are certain to record their biggest crowd of the season having already sold around 4,500 tickets of their 7,556 Layer Road capacity, including Burnley's entire 1,200 allocation.

The match has now been made all-ticket.

All the main stand seats have already been snapped up apart from a handful of restricted viewing tickets; only four odd seats remain in the family enclosure and a club spokeswoman said today all the terrace tickets were selling fast.

The club issued a statement today urging fans to purchase their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

There will be no tickets sold on the day and fans are advised to buy before 5pm on Friday.

Meanwhile, U's boss Steve Whitton today promised former Arsenal and Celtic striker Wright a hot reception when he runs out on the Layer Road pitch on Saturday.

Whitton said: "My players will give Wrighty and Burnley the respect they deserve, but no more. The only orders I will issue to my team is - go out and win for me again.

"I don't think playing on our small pitch at Colchester will make the slightest difference to Wrighty. He is undoubtedly a quality player and quality players and strong characters whoever they are can easily deal with things like that.

"I want a big crowd to come in and get right behind my lads, but as far as Burnley and Wrighty are concerned I want them to keep everything low key. The more our fans have a go at Wrighty the better he will play.

"He will, however, provide one of the biggest tests yet for Ross Johnson and Richard Wilkins, but I know they will be up for it and ready for anything he throws at them on the day."

The U's reserves have an Avon Insurance Combination fixture tomorrow against Portsmouth at the Garrison Ground, kick-off 2pm.

U's supporters are holding a meeting tonight at Colchester Institute, Sheepen Road, 7.30pm start.

Crowd-puller - Burnley new boy Ian Wright

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