Leyton Orient will be looking to get back to winning ways when they visit Colchester this Saturday following three losses on the bounce to start November.
The O’s lost 3-1 to Charlton last time out, however still topped their group as they progressed through to the next round of the Papa John’s trophy.
The hosts have had a better start to the month and will welcome the East London side to the Colchester Community Stadium where they beat Southend 6-1 on Tuesday.
Team news
Young full backs Jayden Sweeney and Jordan Thomas featured midweek for Ross Embleton’s side, but the lack of minutes before that tie means that they are unlikely to start against Colchester. Hector Kyprianou may be given his first start in the league after impressing against Charlton.
Ruel Sotiriou would have been looking to be making his return to first team football after coming on against Forest Green Rovers at the start of the month, however following an injury picked up in training and after missing international duty with Cyprus, it looks like Saturday will come too soon.
Tunji Akinola and Craig Clay will return for Orient after missing out in the week. Akinola was cup tied and Clay had a slight knock, but both are expected to be in the squad for Saturday.
For the visitors Callum Harriot, Luke Norris and Tom Lapslie are all out injured and will play no part against Orient.
Last time out
Colchester have endured success in their most recent games against Orient. They’ve won their last three fixtures against them, most recently in December last year when they picked up a 3-1 win away from home in a Boxing Day clash.
Orient must go back to 2016 for their last win against Colchester. They will be hoping there will be no repeat of the last few encounters as they look to leapfrog Colchester in the league table, with the U’s coming into this one in 11th while the O’s sit in 13th.
What did they manager have to say?
Speaking to LeytonOrient.com, manager Ross Embleton said this ahead of his side’s trip to Essex: “It’s important it’s not a long one to travel too, and it’s always a good ground to go and play at. We want to go and win. They’re an interesting team, and despite the managerial changes, they are similar in their approach.
“We can forget about that last league defeat by picking up a win. We’ve had two cup runs this year, although Spurs got dragged from beneath us.”
Colchester manager Steve Ball had this to say speaking to maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk : “Our league form is excellent and we have three wins out of four.
“We have a game in hand over some teams who are around us and if we can get into the play-off positions, let’s do it.
“When that is, it doesn’t really matter but it’s a game where we’ll be looking to get three points from, get in the top seven and go from there.”
