COLCHESTER United play host to Northampton Town tomorrow, in their first home league game of the season.

And they could well come up against one of their former strikers, who will be hoping to be in the Cobblers starting line-up.

Nicke Kabamba, who joined Northampton in June from Scottish Championship side Kilmarnock, spent three months on loan with the U's in the 2017-18 season.

The 28-year-old was signed by John McGreal on loan from Portsmouth but managed only ten appearances for Colchester, starting four times.

Kabamba went on to play for the likes of Hartlepool United and Havant and Waterlooville and had a brief spell playing under U's assistant manager Alex Dyer, before linking up with Northampton this summer.

Northampton, relegated from League One last season, have had an impressive start to the season, winning both of their opening two games.

They followed up their 1-0 opening-day win over Port Vale with an eye-catching 2-1 victory at Championship side Coventry City in the Carabao Cup, on Tuesday night.

Gazette:

Arms aloft - Northampton Town manager Jon Brady, pictured during his side's excellent win at Coventry City on Wednesday night Picture: NICK POTTS/PA WIRE

So what’s been the key to Northampton’s fine start to the season?

"I think in general there's a good atmosphere around the place going into the new season," says James Heneghan, Northampton Town reporter for the Northampton Chronicle and Echo.

"There was a complete overhaul in personnel both on and off the pitch during the summer and that has made for a fresh start after relegation last year.

"There's an understanding it might take a bit of time for things to click with all the changes, but it's obviously been a good start with two wins from two, although the opening game against Port Vale was a very tight affair and could have gone either way.

"They were excellent at Coventry in the Carabao Cup."

Gazette:

Big display: Northampton Town's Kion Etete (centre) celebrates with his team-mates after winning the Carabao Cup first round match at the Coventry Building Society Arena Picture: NICK POTTS/PA WIRE

Northampton have made changes to their style of play this season under boss Jon Brady, something that has changed dramatically from last season.

Heneghan said: "Previous manager Keith Curle favoured a very direct approach but new boss Jon Brady wants to play with energy and intensity, which has been evident in the first two games.

"There's lots of pace and dynamism in the team with two direct wingers and a powerful front two.

"They'll look to press high and cause problems on the counter-attack and will try to put lots of balls into the box."

Kion Etete enjoyed an eye-catching debut for Northampton, against Coventry.

The 19-year-old forward, who is on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, scored twice against the Sky Blues in what was an incredible debut.

"He's not certain to start after playing 90 minutes at Coventry but would be a great option from the bench," said Heneghan of the 6ft 6in forward.

"He's a big, strong lad with plenty of pace."

Jack Sowerby and Michael Harriman are the only known doubts for Northampton, ahead of their first trip to the JobServe Community Stadium since August 2019.

Likely Northampton line-up (4-4-2): Roberts; McGowan, Horsfall, Guthrie, Mills; Connolly, Flores, Lewis, Pinnock; Kabamba, Etete.