Stead has been handed a four-match ban after he was sent off in the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Boxing Day and the Football Association rejected his appeal.
Stead played in the 3-0 win over QPR on Monday and scored twice but will now be out until the end of January.
Stern John's loan spell from Crystal Palace has come to an end but he may extend his deal in order to play against the Tangerines.
The future of Kevin Lisbie is also uncertain. Lisbie is due to return to Portman Road after half a season with Colchester but he cannot play on Saturday after representing Adrian Boothroyd's League One side in an earlier round.
New signing, goalkeeper Brian Murphy, is not eligible until next week so Arran Lee-Barrett will definitely remain in goal as Richard Wright remains sidelined with a serious knee injury.
