Colchester United host Essex neighbours Southend United in a vital League Two derby match at the JobServe Community Stadium tonight (kick-off 7pm).

The U's lie six points above the relegation zone with four games remaining and host a Blues side who are a place below them and are also battling to stay in the Football League.

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

The manager

U's interim head coach Hayden Mullins: “I’m sure it’ll be built up but what we speak about in the dressing room and how we want to keep it and the messages that we want to give the boys, we’ll keep them focused on what we need to do – that’s the main thing.

“It’s a performance and a result against Walsall that we’ll have to roll into Tuesday.

“We’ve got to take the confidence into Tuesday and build on this and we will do.

“We’ll refocus and get them ready to go. We just try and focus the players."

Key battle

Colchester United striker Frank Nouble will be facing his former club Southend United tonight, looking to help his side boost their survival hopes.

He is likely to come up against former U's favourite John White, who has returned from an arm injury to take his place in Phil Brown' starting line-up.

Last meeting

Colchester were beaten 2-0 at Southend when the two sides met at Roots Hall, on Boxing Day.

First-half goals from Simeon Akinola and Thimothee Dieng sealed Blues' victory, in the Essex derby.

Referee

Kevin Johnson will be the man in the middle for tonight's key Essex derby.

He has presided over 24 games so far this season, showing 71 yellow cards and four reds.

Team news

Colchester will check on the fitness of Callum Harriott ahead of tonight's Essex derby.

Harriott suffered an ankle and Achilles injury in his side's 2-0 win over Walsall, forcing him off at half-time.

Goalkeeper Dean Gerken was on the bench against Walsall due to injury, with Shamal George likely to be between the sticks again.

Probable U's side: George, Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith, Clampin, Chilvers, Pell, Senior, Wiredu, Folivi, Nouble.

Odds

Colchester are viewed by many bookmakers as 6/4 to win tonight's game.

The draw is 21/10, while a Southend win is viewed at 19/10.

Games

League Two, tonight (7pm): Barrow v Port Vale, Bolton Wanderers v Carlisle United, Bradford City v Tranmere Rovers, Colchester United v Southend United, Forest Green Rovers v Exeter City, Grimsby Town v Morecambe, Harrogate Town v Oldham Athletic, Leyton Orient v Cambridge United, Mansfield Town v Scunthorpe United, Newport County v Crawley Town, Stevenage v Cheltenham Town, Walsall v Salford City.