Table-toppers Colchester head to the MK Dons aiming to maintain their 100 per cent League One record.
U's could be unchanged but Ince has injury problems
Table-toppers Colchester head to the MK Dons aiming to maintain their 100 per cent League One record.
The U's have won three league games on the bounce and victory at stadium:mk would represent their best start to a season in 71 years.
But the club is still adjusting after boss Paul Lambert switched to Norwich in midweek, while captain Dean Hammond also moved to Southampton.
Opponents MK Dons will be looking to build on Tuesday night's 1-0 victory at Tranmere, handing Paul Ince his first win since taking over for his second spell at the club.
MK Dons news
Ince will play Danny Woodards as an emergency centre-half for the visit of the U's.
The former Crewe right-back played 60 minutes in the centre of defence during the win at Tranmere after Darren Powell limped off with a hamstring injury and will deputise again from the start.
Powell is joined on the treatment table by fellow defenders Jude Stirling (groin), Danny Swailes (Achilles) and Sean O'Hanlon (knee), while captain Dean Lewington and Mathias Doumbe are both still out after sustaining head injuries at Swindon last weekend to leave Ince down to the bare bones.
Midfielder Luke Howell will continue at right-back while Ince's injury problems are not restricted to defenders.
Midfielder Peter Leven (groin) is still a fortnight away from a return to action while forwards Aaron Wilbraham (ankle) and Sam Baldock (groin) are also still out.
U's news
Caretaker-boss Joe Dunne could name an unchanged side for the trip to stadium:mk.
Kem Izzet stepped into central midfield for Tuesday's win over Gillingham after captain Hammond completed his switch to Southampton.
Striker Clive Platt serves the final game of his three-match ban so Scott Vernon partners Kevin Lisbie in attack with Joel Thomas, the summer signing from Hamilton, on the bench again.
Frontmen Steven Gillespie (hamstring) and Jamie Guy (knee) remain sidelined while defender Paul Reid is still out after knee surgery, although he has joined in some training sessions and could be back in early September.
