COLCHESTER United host Harrogate Town, hoping to secure their first home league win of the season.

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 welcome back skipper Tommy Smith and loanee Armando Dobra for their game at Harrogate.

Skipper Smith has been away on international duty with New Zealand, while Dobra has returned for playing with Albania under-21s.

Experienced left-back Charlie Daniels is also available again after missing the defeat at Tranmere Rovers due to a hip injury.

Colchester boss Hayden Mullins said: “Charlie has trained and he’s been back with us since Monday.

“He’s back in with the group, which is pleasing to see.

“He missed the Tranmere game because of a knock on his hip but he’s training.

“It’s decisions again but what’s pleasing is seeing how they’ve all trained and reacted towards it, so it’s always good to have a strong squad to pick from."

Gazette:

The manager

Colchester boss Hayden Mullins:

“Harrogate play with a really good tempo.

“They’re a good side and they’re quite settled in what they do, in terms of their manager and players and they know each quite well.

“Sometimes you roll the momentum on and it’s good for them.

“It’s not an easy game; it’s a tough game but it’s one we’re looking forward to.

“We’re at home and we really want to put together our good work this week.

“The boys have been excellent, they really have – I’m not just saying it.

“I’ve just said to them in training that they’ve been really good, this week – make sure you save a bit for Saturday."

Gazette:

Last meeting

Colchester were beaten 3-0 at Harrogate when the teams last met in March, 2021.

Goals from Mark Beck, Will Smith and Josh McPake gave the home side victory.

Opposition view

Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver:

Weaver told the Harrogate Advertiser: “That is the challenge on Saturday, making sure that our focus, desire and intensity is exactly the same as it was at 3pm seven days earlier.

“Of course we are just wanting more of the same, the Scunthorpe performance was excellent, but I’ve seen it plenty of times in different sports where a team succumbs to complacency following a really convincing victory.

“Our players know what it takes to not become complacent and I don’t believe that these lads are just very good players on one-off occasions, but we will soon see at Colchester.

“This will be a test of whether they have a good grasp of that winning mentality and culture we are trying to create.”

Gazette:

Flashback - Hayden Mullins (left) on the touchline with Harrogate manager Simon Weaver (right) during Colchester's 2-0 home win over the Yorkshire side, last season

Odds

Colchester are 23/10 to claim their first home league win of the season. Harrogate are 6/5, with the draw 9/4.

Referee

Tom Reeves is the man in the middle today. He has presided over nine games so far this season, showing 36 yellow cards and two reds.

League Two fixtures (Saturday):

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