COLCHESTER United play host to Crawley Town this afternoon, in their first home league match for more than a month.

From team news to line-ups, key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below ahead of the game at the JobServe Community Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

U's team news

Colchester will be without experienced defender Luke Chambers today.

The former Ipswich Town man is serving a one-match ban, following his red card against Barrow, last Friday.

Ryan Clampin (ankle) is set to return to the squad while the U's will check on the fitness of Miles Welch-Hayes (hamstring), who returned to training on Thursday.

Predicted line-ups

Colchester (4-2-3-1): George, Coxe, Eastman, Smith, Daniels, Skuse, Wiredu, Sears, Judge, Jasper, Nouble

Crawley (4-4-2): Morris, Francomb, Dallison-Lisbon, Lynch, Tsaroulla, Powell, Hessenthaler, Payne, Ferry, Ashford, Nichols

The head coach

Colchester United head coach Hayden Mullins:

"Crawley are a tough side - I think we've said before that most games in this division are tough.

"They'll pose a completely different threat to Barrow.

"Crawley play a 4-4-2 historically in most games but they could change it on Saturday and drop into a 4-5-1.

"They work really hard and they're a really organised team.

"It'll be a tough test for us."

Last meeting

Crawley ran out 1-0 winners the last time the two clubs met in February, 2020.

A last-gasp goal from James Tilley secured the Reds victory at Broadfield Stadium.

Gazette:

Opposition manager

Crawley boss John Yems told the Crawley Observer: "Everyone is looking forward to the game especially after last week and nice to see a few boys training again so nothing but positives.

"The lads are always buzzing. It's different when you are not creating things or doing things, we just needed a couple of things to break our way and Saturday it did. You would take scoring in the last minute every game wouldn’t you?"

Odds

Colchester are 11/10 to claim a second straight victory today against Crawley, according to Paddy Power. The Reds are 12/5, while the draw is 23/10.

Referee

The referee today is Christopher Sarginson, from Staffordshire.

The man in the middle has presided over seven games so far this season, showing 23 yellow cards and one red.

League Two fixtures

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