Colchester v Wolves preview

Williams: Hopeful on defenders

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Colchester will be looking to boost their survival hopes with victory against an inconsistent Wolves side at Layer Road.

Colchester boss Geraint Williams is hopeful defenders Chris Coyne and John White will be fit for the crucial clash.

Influential centre-half Coyne (head) is expected to declare himself fit despite sitting out training in the early part of the week following a nasty fall against Bristol City.

Full-back White suffered a dislocated elbow during the same game and will face a late fitness check.

The second-bottom Us have picked up a spate of injuries recently with winger Mark Yeates (shoulder) out for the season and centre-half Pat Baldwin (knee) still on the sidelines.

They may have to face Wolves without a goalkeeper on the bench after Mark Cousins was struck down with appendicitis on Wednesday.

But Kevin Lisbie should start after overcoming an ankle injury while fellow forward Teddy Sheringham rested some aches and pains last weekend and has trained all week.

Goalkeeping dilemma

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey ahead of the trip to Colchester.

The Wales international suffered a mild concussion after a collision in last week's victory at Crystal Palace and faces a late test to prove his fitness.

With Matt Murray (knee) also sidelined, McCarthy would be likely to call on Graham Stack, who came on as an 87th-minute replacement last week, should Hennessey fail to recover in time.

McCarthy hopes to be able to call on winger Matt Jarvis after his return to training following a hip problem, but Michael Kightly (ankle) and Stephen Ward (knee) are still out of action.

Neill Collins impressed on his return following an ankle injury and will hope to have done enough to retain his place, while Darren Potter could again be preferred to Seyi Olofinjana in the centre of midfield.

There was no place in the 16-man squad for Darron Gibson, Andy Keogh, Jay Bothroyd or Darren Ward who will all hope to feature against Geraint Williams' side.