Relegation is a realistic prospect for Swindon who are now in the drop zone.
Danny Wilson talking to the official website that Swindon must take the positives from last Saturdays 1-1 draw with MK Dons in order to earn points in Essex tonight.
‘We will have to try and replicate what we did on Saturday. We have to go there with a positive attitude and hopefully put those chances in the back of the net.’
Colchester United are sweating on the fitness of former Town loan player Mark Yeates (who has a calf problem) and Lewis Gobern. Both will have late fitness tests.
Pat Baldwin has a minor ankle problem but is expected to play but while another former Town loan player, Johnnie Jackson is still on the road to recovery after a shoulder operation.
The Irish midfielder had a disappointing loan spell at Swindon (the Leigh Mills saga) but has become a star player for Colchester since leaving Tottenham Hotspur for The U’s in 2007.
Yeates is Colchester’s top scorer this season.
Welsh international Owain Tudur Jones goes straight into the squad after joining from Swansea City.
Jack Smith is struggling with a hamstring problem while Lee Peacock, Barry Corr and Hasney Aljofree are all out for the remainder of the campaign.
New loan signing from Swansea City. Tudur Jones could be crucial to Swindon’s final run-in.
He’s told the press that he’s prepared to roll his sleeves up and get stuck in – if he stays fit and lives up to his own promises then he could become a favourite in his short stay.
Last Encounter: 23/08/08
Swindon Town 1-3 Colchester United
0-1 – Jackson 32
0-2 – Vernon 45
1-2 – Cox 67(p)
1-3 – Wasiu 89
Swindon: Brezovan, J. Smith, Ifil, Aljofree, Kanyuka, McGovern (Marshall), Timlin (Easton), Nalis (Peacock), McNamee, Paynter, Cox
Subs not used: P. Smith, Amankwaah.
Colchester: Gerken, White, Reid, Heath, Lockwood, Yeates, Izzet (Hammond), Jackson, Wordsworth, Platt, Vernon (Wasiu)
Subs not used: Cousins, Coyne, Elito.
Attendance: 7031
18/03/06 CUFC 1-0 STFC
26/12/05 STFC 1-0 CUFC
01/01/05 STFC 0-3 CUFC
04/09/04 CUFC 0-1 STFC
17/01/04 STFC 2-0 CUFC
Historically Swindon have the edge on Colchester – Only just though winning 26 of the 64 competitive fixtures – drawing 14 and losing 24.
Played for both clubs
Will Dixon, the handlebar moustache sporting defender joined Swindon from Colchester in 1973.
Current Colchester players Johnnie Jackson and Mark Yeates had loan spells at Swindon under Andy King.
Others include Kevin Watson, Keith Scott, Jamie Cureton, Tony Thorpe and Lloyd Opara.
1-1 Draw: Still not good enough for Town though.
Leeds away. Great.