Colchester United host Rochdale in League Two

The U's have taken four points from a possible six under the interim management of Wayne Brown.

Just three points separate the two sides in the bottom seven, so it is a crucial game for Colchester.

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 7.45pm).

U's team news

Colchester will be without goalkeeper Shamal George and defender Luke Chambers tonight.

The pair are suspended following their red cards against Swindon Town.

Colchester are set to hand a debut to goalkeeper Sam Hornby, who has joined on loan from Bradford City.

Fellow deadline day signings Camron Gbadebo and Tyreik Wright are also set to be in the squad.

Colchester will assess the fitness of Noah Chilvers, who missed the Swindon draw with a quad injury.

U's interim assistant head coach Joe Dunne said: “Noah was slightly feeling an injury.

“It was managing it - we got to the end of the week and felt well, he’s missed most of the week and is it a risk worth taking in terms of it could probably damage him.

“He didn’t get enough training sessions in last week so it was decided collectively that it was probably best if he missed the weekend to make sure that he’s ready for up and coming games, because it’s quite intense coming up.”

Skipper Tommy Smith is still unavailable after joining up with New Zealand, on international duty.

Ryan Clampin (knee) remains sidelined.

U's interim assistant head coach Joe Dunne on the Rochdale game:

“You want to keep the point tally ticking over and four points from the last two games is a good return, against two promotion-chasing teams.

“The same application is going to be required on Tuesday night and we move on to that straight away really."

Predicted line-ups

Colchester United: Hornby, Tchamadeu, Eastman, Dallison, Kenlock, Skuse, Huws, Wiredu, Edwards, Judge, Sears

Rochdale: Coleman, O'Connell, Dorsett, Downing, O'Keefe, Broadbent, Clark, Dooley, Grant, Newby, Campbell

Last meeting

Colchester played out a 1-1 draw with Dale when the two sides met up at Spotland, last August.

Max Taylor's bizarre own goal just before half-time gave the U's the lead.

But Jimmy Keohane netted on the hour mark to equalise and claim a point for the hosts.

Odds

Colchester are 15/8 to claim victory against Rochdale. The Dale are 6/4, with the draw 21/10.

Referee

Craig Hicks is the man in the middle tonight.

He has shown 68 yellow cards and five red cards in the 23 games he has presided over, this season.

Fixtures, League Two, tonight (7.45pm unless stated):

Bradford City v Leyton Orient, Colchester United v Rochdale, Harrogate Town v Mansfield Town, Northampton Town v Barrow, Port Vale v Forest Green Rovers, Salford City v Carlisle United, Swindon Town v Crawley Town, Tranmere Rovers v Stevenage.