COLCHESTER United host Northampton Town in their first home match of the new League Two season this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

From likely line-ups to key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below ahead of the game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

U's team news

Colchester are set to name winger Luke Hannant in their squad to play Northampton.

The former Cambridge United man has missed the U's opening two games at Birmingham City and Carlisle United, after suffering from Covid-19.

However, Hannant is back in training now and pushing for his competitive debut for the U's.

Luke Chambers is back to face his old club after missing the Birmingham defeat in the Carabao Cup due to a sickness bug.

Goalkeeper Dean Gerken could also return after resuming training, following his groin injury.

The head coach

Hayden Mullins says he has decisions to make ahead of Colchester's home clash with Northampton.

Key battle

Tommy Smith will lead the U's at the back, having played his part in helping them keep a clean sheet in their opener at Carlisle. He is set to come up against former U's loanee Nicke Kabamba, who started the Cobblers' league opener against Port Vale.

Last meeting

The last time Colchester played Northampton was in August 2019. The U's ran out 1-0 winners at the JobServe Community Stadium, with Luke Norris's second-half penalty securing the three points.

Referee

Trevor Kettle is the man in the middle this afternoon.

The experienced Rutland official took charge of his first match of the season in midweek, officiating the Carabao Cup tie between Cambridge United and Swindon Town.

Opposition manager

Northampton boss Jon Brady told the club's website: “Colchester are another team I expect to be up there this season, they have signed some good experience players and Hayden Mullins is someone I have followed closely from his time at Watford.

“It will be a different type of challenge for us but our aim for these first ten games is to just keep improving.

“We’ve had a good week but we can’t get carried away. It will be a tough fight at Colchester and we need to make sure we are ready and well prepared for that."

Likely line-ups

U's (3-4-1-2): Shamal George, Luke Chambers, Tom Eastman, Tommy Smith (c), Cameron Coxe, Brendan Wiredu, Cole Skuse, Ryan Clampin, Alan Judge, Frank Nouble, Freddie Sears.

Northampton (4-4-2): Liam Roberts; Aaron McGowan, Fraser Horsfall, Jon Guthrie, Joseph Mills; Dylan Connolly, Jordan Flores, Paul Lewis, Mitch Pinnock; Nicke Kabamba, Kion Etete.

Odds

Colchester are rated 6/4 to win their first match of the season tomorrow. Northampton are 7/4 while the draw is 9/4.

Today's League Two fixtures:

Barrow v Hartlepool United, Bradford City v Oldham Athletic, Bristol Rovers v Stevenage, Colchester United v Northampton Town, Leyton Orient v Exeter City, Mansfield Town v Newport County, Port Vale v Tranmere Rovers, Rochdale v Scunthorpe United, Salford City v Sutton United, Swindon Town v Carlisle United, Walsall v Forest Green Rovers.