Aidy Boothroyd is looking forward to locking swords with Walsall counterpart Chris Hutchings today.

Colchester United manager Boothroyd cleaned Hutchings' boots when he was a young defender at Huddersfield Town, in the late eighties.

Now the pair are rival bosses in Coca-Cola League One and will pit their wits against each other at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this afternoon, as the U's look to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches.

Boothroyd said: “Chris used to give me generous Christmas tips!

“He used to spend a lot of time on his hair, when he had flowing locks.

“He’s a good guy Chris - he’s been very unfortunate in terms of the times that he’s taken over at clubs.

“He followed Paul Jewell at both Bradford and at Wigan and I’m glad that he’s got back in quickly.

“Another reason we have to be on our game tomorrow is because he’s very switched on and a bright guy.

“He was instrumental at Wigan and I think Paul (Jewell) would be the first one to say that.

“Every manager generally has a good number two.

“Paul and Chris were top performers together and now he’s his own man and has an opportunity to have some highs and some lows."