THE last time Danny Cowley pitted his wits against Wrexham, it was in the National League.

Cowley's Lincoln City side were well on their way to promotion; the Reds finished 13th.

Much like the Imps, Wrexham are now a very different club to the one Cowley last faced back in November 2016.

Their Hollywood ownership has made them an international story; Phil Parkinson delivered them a long-awaited return back to the Football League last season and is on the verge of a second successive promotion, in the current campaign.

READ MORE: Danny Cowley's message to U's fans ahead of Wrexham clash

Cowley is preparing to face Wrexham again at a sold-out JobServe Community Stadium this afternoon, with his Colchester United side in need of a win to boost their League Two survival hopes.

Cowley said: “The Wrexham story is one that everybody knows.

“I feel really pleased for the Wrexham people, because I would have gone to Wrexham as Braintree manager and Lincoln manager in darker times for that football club when they were in a really tough moment and they’d been stuck in the National League for a long time.

“Even then, you could feel what a big club it was but they were a big club that was suffering.

“They had a huge number of supporters that really stood by their team and stayed by the club.

Gazette:

“What has happened in recent times has of course been a fairytale.

“Phil Parkinson is obviously a manager that this club knows well – he did a brilliant job in what was his first job.

“He’s gone on and managed big clubs in Bolton and Bradford and had success and he’s now doing the same, at Wrexham.

“A lot to respect with regards to Wrexham and they’ve got some really good players for the level, of course but we have a belief in ourselves.

“We are a competitive team – we’ve taken points in 11 of the 13 games we’ve been together and we’re fighting for our lives.

READ MORE: Phil Parkinson ready for return to former club Colchester

“We have a clear understanding of how Wrexham play, both in and out of possession.

“We have a clear understanding of where their threats are and for us, we’ll try to focus on some areas of weakness as well that we can try to exploit.”

Gazette: Samson Tovide

Colchester are hoping that striker Samson Tovide will be available for selection today, after he pulled out of their warm-up at Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday after feeling discomfort in his ankle.

The 20-year-old striker has recently returned to action, following a three-month injury lay-off.

“It’s settled,” added Cowley.

“We’re pleased we’re playing at home on Saturday on our lovely soft pitch, because it’ll help Samson.

“He’s such an important player for us.”