Captain Dean Lewington is an injury concern for MK Dons.
Lewington limped off after 58 minutes of the 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury on Tuesday night and the left-back will continue to be assessed.
Forward Daniel Powell is also nursing a knock following the game at Greenhous Meadow and he too will be monitored before a decision is made on his availability.
Alan Smith is one player who will definitely miss out after the versatile veteran collected his fifth yellow card of the season against the Shrews and as a result will be suspended for the game.
Smith's absence will leave a hole for either Ryan Lowe or Charlie MacDonald to fill. Loanee Ibra Sekajja, still awaiting his first appearance for the club, is another option for manager Karl Robinson, as is new signing Patrick Bamford.
Bamford joined the Dons from Chelsea on Thursday and will remain at stadium:mk until January 7, 2013.
Jabo Ibehre is ineligible to face his parent club.
The striker joined the Us from the Dons on a three-month loan deal in late September but will not be allowed to line up against his employers at stadium:mk.
That means either Clinton Morrison or Gavin Massey will step in as Colchester aim to make amends for Tuesday's 3-1 home defeat to Coventry.
Left-back Dan Potts is in contention to make his debut having joined on an initial month-long loan deal from West Ham.
Manager Joe Dunne must decide whether captain Kem Izzet is worthy of a place in his matchday 18 having returned to training following six weeks out with a hip injury, although a starting berth is highly unlikely so soon.
Colchester have won one of their last six games on the road in all competitions.
