Colchester United travel to play Salford City tonight

From team news to key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below.

Key battle

Colchester United forward Frank Nouble is looking to get back among the goals tonight. He is likely to come up against former Southampton youngster Jordan Turnbull, who has been a near ever-present at the heart of the Salford defence, this season.

Last meeting

It has been more than a year since the two sides met. In the last meeting between the sides, Colchester ran out 2-1 winners at Moor Lane in February 2020, thanks to goals from Callum Harriott and Kwame Poku. Ashley Hunter grabbed a goal back for Salford but it was not enough to prevent the U's from claiming victory. They are the last team to have won at the venue.

Referee

Scott Oldham will preside over tonight's game. He has refereed 23 games so far this season, dishing out 44 yellow cards but not a single red.

Team news

Colchester interim first-team coach Wayne Brown will check his side's fitness levels ahead of their game at Salford.

The U's have had a punishing schedule of late and this is their third away game in the space of eight days, so Brown will examine his team's energy levels ahead of the clash.

Skipper Harry Pell came through 90 minutes at Grimsby Town last weekend in his first start for a month, while Ben Stevenson was an unused substitute after returning from injury.

Paris Cowan-Hall played nearly the whole match on what was his first U's league start since September, 2019.

Experienced keeper Dean Gerken could return, after missing the last four games with a back problem.

U's boss Brown said: “Deano’s improving – he’s improved quite a lot, to be fair over the last week which has been really encouraging because we thought he was in trouble at Forest Green.

“He’s improving day on day and we’re hoping that he’s back sooner rather than later.

“But it’s one of those situations where we have to make sure that he’s right, before he comes back into the set-up."

Midfielder Tom Lapslie is on the road to recovery but is unlikely to be involved tonight.

The combative midfielder has not featured since February 14, due to injury.

“Tom’s obviously frustrated – he’s had a really frustrating season," said Brown.

“He’s improving day on day, week on week.

“He’s feeling stronger and fitter and he’s getting closer, which is only going to be of benefit for the team."

Probable U's side:

George, Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith, Clampin, Wiredu, Pell, Cowan-Hall, Brown, Harriott, Nouble.

Odds:

Colchester are regarded as 9/2 to secure a precious win at Moor Lane tonight. Salford are 4/6 favourites while the draw is 13/5.

League Two fixtures:

Cheltenham Town v Barrow, Crawley Town v Walsall, Mansfield Town v Carlisle United, Port Vale v Newport County, Salford City v Colchester United, Scunthorpe United v Oldham Athletic.