Colchester v Huddersfield preview

Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Colchester and Huddersfield at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Last Updated: 16/03/12 at 12:41   

Clarke: Could return for Town

Clarke: Could return for Town

Colchester midfielder Martin Rowlands will be monitored ahead of the game.

Rowlands missed Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Sheffield United due to a groin injury sustained last weekend at Wycombe, forcing manager John Ward into his one and only change in four games.

Andy Bond came in to replace Rowlands and will again start if the latter fails to prove his fitness.

Otherwise, Ward is not expected to have any new injury or suspension problems and is likely to keep faith with his in-form side once again.

Fit-again winger Ashley Vincent returned to the bench against the Blades but was unable to get on as the U's extended their impressive unbeaten run to six games.

Striker Freddie Sears' loan stay from West Ham expires after this weekend but all parties appear keen to extend the agreement.

Peter Clarke could return to the heart of Huddersfield's defence for their match at Colchester.

Town skipper Clarke has been sidelined since undergoing a hernia operation in January and has missed the last eight games.

Manager Simon Grayson wants Clarke back to bolster a defence that has conceded seven goals in their last four matches.

Huddersfield have let slip a three-goal lead and two-goal lead in two of those games and while Antony Kay has been partnering Sean Morrison, on loan from Reading, in central defence, Grayson may want to try a different combination.

Midfielder Tommy Miller is a little bit behind Clarke in his recovery from a similar operation and not yet ready for first-team action, but Grayson has no new injury or suspension problems.

Huddersfield have drawn three of their last four games and are five points behind second-placed Sheffield United with a game in hand.

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npower League 1

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Doncaster 46 18 84
2 Bournemth 46 23 83
3 Brentford 46 15 79
4 Yeovil 46 15 77
5 Sheff Utd 46 14 75
6 Swindon 46 33 74
7 Leyton Or 46 7 71
8 MK Dons 46 17 70
9 Walsall 46 7 68
10 Crawley 46 1 68
11 Tranmere 46 10 67
12 Notts Co 46 12 65
13 Crewe 46 -8 64
14 Preston 46 5 59
15 Coventry 46 7 55
16 Shrewsbury 46 -6 55
17 Carlisle 46 -21 55
18 Stevenage 46 -17 54
19 Oldham 46 -13 51
20 Colchester 46 -21 51
21 Scunthorpe 46 -24 48
22 Bury 46 -28 41
23 Hartlepool 46 -28 41
24 Portsmouth 46 -18 32

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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