COLCHESTER United will be without winger Tyreik Wright for their home clash with Tranmere Rovers this weekend.

The on-loan Aston Villa youngster, who started the U's 1-0 defeat to Forest Green Rovers on Monday night, has been called up to represent Republic of Ireland under-21s in their European Championship qualifier with Sweden next Tuesday (kick-off 5pm Irish time).

Wright will be part of the young Boys in Green squad that travels to Borås, Sweden as they continue their qualification push for the U21 European Championships, which take place next year in Georgia and Romania.

The 20-year-old, who was born in County Cork and began his career as a junior with Irish club Lakewood Athletic, will be hoping to make his tenth appearance for the Republic of Ireland's under-21s.

He made his debut for the side in a 2-1 win over Wales under-21s in March, 2021.

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Wright has also represented his country at under-19, under-18 and under-17 level.

Colchester are also without two other players this weekend, due to their international commitments.

Captain Tommy Smith is currently away with New Zealand in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Oceania qualifiers in Qatar.

The 31-year-old is with the All Whites squad for the tournament, where they are aiming to earn a spot at the 2022 World Cup.

New Zealand beat Papua New Guinea 1-0 last weekend and take on New Caledonia in Group B on Thursday.

The top-two sides from Group B will progress to the semi-finals against the top two Group A teams.

Colchester's Armando Dobra is also away on international duty.

The Ipswich Town youngster is currently with Albania's under-21s for their home European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Friday and then England, next Tuesday.

Colchester would be permitted to request a postponement of their game against Tranmere, given the fact that they have three players away on international duty.

EFL sides are allowed to postpone their games if they have three players or more called up by their respective countries at senior or under-21 level during an international break.

However, there is no suggestion that the U's will request that the game at the JobServe Community Stadium this weekend is called off.