COLCHESTER United travel to play Stevenage this afternoon, as they return to League Two action after a three-week league fixture break.

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 Lamex Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

U's team news

Colchester will be without left-back Ryan Clampin today after he was ruled out for two months with a knee injury.

The 22-year-old suffered his injury in the U's 4-0 FA Cup win at AFC Sudbury and will be out until January.

Midfielder Gene Kennedy is also out with a knee injury but Colchester are expected to welcome back experienced midfielder Alan Judge.

The 33-year-old former Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town playmaker has missed the U's last seven league and cup games with a calf problem.

Samson Tovide is available again after suspension for Colchester.

Gazette:

Predicted line-ups

Colchester: George, Tchamadeu, Eastman, Chambers, Daniels, Skuse, Wiredu, Chilvers, Jasper, Dobra, Sears

Stevenage: Smith, Wildin, Cuthbert, Prosser, Coker, Lines, Reeves, Taylor, Carvalho Andrade, Reid, List

Colchester boss Hayden Mullins:

“You never know what’s coming especially with a caretaker in charge and there’s always that bounce they might have from having a new manager walk in the door.

“I went to watch them in their FA Cup replay (against MK Dons) on Tuesday, so we’ve got an idea of how they might go.

“It was a local game for them, a derby against a League One team, a good side.

“I think the sending off helped Stevenage but it was a good game and they’ll be looking to try and follow that up with a win on Saturday.

“The main thing is that they’ve got the same players; the shape might change but we have to concentrate on ourselves, what we want to do and how we want to try and hurt them.

“Whatever shape they might be, we need to really concentrate on what we’re doing as a team and go there and try and do a real good job.”

Gazette:

Familiar faces

Colchester could come up against three of their former players today.

Luke Norris, Luke Prosser (pictured below) and Ben Coker, who all previously played for the U's, could all start against their old club today.

Gazette:

Last meeting

Colchester last faced Stevenage in January, 2021.

The game at the Lamex Stadium finished up as a goal-less draw.

Opposition view

Stevenage captain Scott Cuthbert told the Comet: "We have huge responsibility for the goals we’ve conceded, for the poor performances.

"This was an opportunity against a really good League One side to show whoever the new manager may be, if he’s watching, that there is something to cling to and work with.

"That’s the most important thing.

"We can’t look back at ifs, buts and maybes. We have to look forward and remain positive as a group.

"We know from playing [MK] away how good a side they are but the way we ended it was brilliant. I was really delighted with it, it was a good performance.

"We need to take this form on to Saturday which will be an important result to take us up the table."

Odds

Colchester are viewed at 12/5 to claim victory at Stevenage today. The hosts are 23/20, with the draw 21/10.

Gazette:

In charge - Trevor Kettle is the man in the middle today Picture: PAUL CHESTERON/FOCUS IMAGES LTD

Referee

Experienced official Trevor Kettle will take charge of today's game.

The Rutland official has taken charge of 15 games so far this season, handing out 56 yellow cards and six red cards.

League Two fixtures

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