Colchester vs Mansfield preview
Friday 18 January 2019 11:11, UK
Colchester boss John McGreal will be hoping his side can keep up their hot goalscoring form in Sky Bet League Two when they host promotion-chasing Mansfield on Saturday.
The U's have scored six goals in their last two matches and McGreal could stick with his largely unchanged side against Mansfield.
He made one change to the Colchester side for their 3-0 victory against Port Vale, bringing in Brennan Dickenson in place of Kane Vincent-Young at full-back and impressed enough to remain in his starting berth. Frankie Kent could return to the team after he was available following suspension against Vale, but was not included in the matchday squad.
Matt Preston will be available again for Mansfield after serving a one-match suspension. The central defender received the ban after picking up a red card for two yellow card offences in a 1-0 defeat by Yeovil on January 12.
Alex MacDonald and David Mirfin remain on David Flitcroft's long-term absent list with knee injuries. Completing the injury list is goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik who is out for the remainder of the season, also with an injured knee.
Opta stats
Colchester have lost just one of their last 14 matches against Mansfield in all competitions (W7 D6).
Mansfield have lost their last six visits to Colchester in all competitions since a 3-1 win in November 1995.
Colchester have scored three goals in back to back league games (W1 D1) - the U's last scored three or more goals in three consecutive Football League games in September 1994.
Mansfield have lost just one of their last 16 away league games (W6 D9), however that defeat did come in their last such game against Carlisle (2-3).
Colchester's Harry Pell has scored three goals in his last two league games - as many as he managed in his opening 25 League Two games of 2018/19 (3 goals).
