Colchester United host play-off chasing Salford City

The U's host the Ammies lying six points above the relegation zone with two games remaining and need a point to secure their League Two status.

They take on a Salford side who are looking to secure a play-off place.

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:

“It seems like every team we play at the moment has got something to play for and it’s been tough.

“There’s been Cheltenham going for promotion, Salford going for the play-offs, previously it was Walsall and Southend scrapping for their lives.

“It’s been challenging but it’s been good – it’s the reason why you’re involved in the game is for these moments.

“It won’t be an easy game, we know that and they will come here looking to try and finish the season well, as we are.

“We know that it’ll be a good challenge.

“Player-wise, you look at different threats and key players but obviously, playing styles will change with the change of manager for both teams.

“Certain things will differ with the way we look at it and look at them and the way we want to set up and the way they’ve set up over recent weeks has been different.

“The way we set up against them was to go there and keep it tight and try and get a result, which we did.

“We had a really good chance to nick it with Pelle from a set play.

“We’re playing at home and they’ve got to come here and we’ve got to give them a problem.

“Hopefully, it’ll be a different game, a more attacking game from us and we’ll see where it gets us."

Key battle

Tommy Smith has been in impressive form for Colchester United, over recent games and is among their leading appearance makers, this season.

He is set to come up against former U's forward Ian Henderson, who has been in excellent form of late and has scored in each of his last three games and eight in his last seven matches.

Last meeting

Colchester played out a goal-less draw at Salford when the two sides met at the Moor Lane, in March.

Both sides had different managers in the dugout for the League Two match, with Wayne Brown in charge for the U's and Richie Wellens at the helm for the Ammies.

U's fact

Colchester have never lost to Salford City. The teams have met on three occasions, so far.

Referee

Leigh Doughty from Lancashire is the man in the middle today.

Team news

Colchester have a doubt over midfielder Brendan Wiredu ahead of the game against Salford.

Wiredu was forced to pull out of training on Thursday due to injury and his fitness will be checked, ahead of today's match.

Jevani Brown and Courtney Senior should both return to the squad after missing the defeat at Cheltenham Town, last weekend.

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

Odds

Colchester are rated 4/1 to claim a third successive home win today. Salford are viewed by bookmakers at 7/10, with the draw 5/2.

Games

Barrow v Southend United, Bolton Wanderers v Exeter City, Bradford City v Scunthorpe United, Colchester United v Salford City, Forest Green Rovers v Tranmere Rovers, Grimsby Town v Port Vale, Leyton Orient v Carlisle United, Mansfield Town v Oldham Athletic, Newport County v Cheltenham Town, Stevenage v Crawley Town, Walsall v Morecambe.