Wayne Brown's Colchester United under-23 side will attempt to preserve their impressive unbeaten start to the new season when they host Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

The U's entertain Forest at Florence Park (kick-off 1pm), hoping to extend their undefeated sequence at the beginning of the Professional Development League Two campaign to five matches.

Colchester under-23s have already recorded wins over Birmingham City and Hull City, along with draws against Barnsley and Leeds United conceding only three goals in the process.

But they are likely to have to pick from a younger squad with usual today, given the fact that Colchester's first team host Chesterfield tomorrow night in League Two and are without a number of players due to injury.

In addition, Charley Edge, who featured in all four of Colchester's opening under-23 fixtures this season, has joined non-league outfit Leamington on loan while striker Eli Phipps has moved to Welling United on loan where he has linked up with U's team-mate, Dillon Barnes.

The young U's goalkeeper is also on loan at the National League South side.