Phil Parkinson is expecting his injury-ravaged team to roll its sleeves up and get stuck in against Doncaster Rovers.
True grit - Jamie Guy (centre) is one of the youngsters hoping to be involved tomorrow against Doncaster when Colchester boss Phil Parkinson will be looking for a gutsy display from his injury-ravaged squad. 44277-11
The Colchester United boss is preparing to field one of his youngest-ever teams for the Coca-Cola League One basement clash against Dave Penney's side at Layer Road tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).
And he is expecting a tough battle with seven first-team players out of contention due to injury and suspension.
Wayne Brown (suspended), Pat Baldwin (shoulder), Liam Chilvers (knee), Sam Stockley (thigh), Karl Duguid (knee), Neil Danns (stomach), Richard Garcia (shin) and Marino Keith (Achilles) are all unavailable but Parkinson is not fazed, especially after confronting a similiar situation last season.
He said: "It was the same before we went to Tranmere when we had ten players out. However, the lads battled and fought for a great result up there and we're going to need that same gritty and determined performance from the lads tomorrow."
Parkinson is also calling on the home fans to get behind his team, especially as half the line-up is likely to be home-grown talent.
He said: "With that many youngsters in the team we really need the fans to get behind them and support them."
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Published Friday, September 9, 2005
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