Crewe v Colchester preview
Friday 16 February 2018 12:17, UK
Crewe will hope to have defender Eddie Nolan available again for the League Two clash with Colchester.
Nolan was ruled out of the midweek loss to Accrington through illness, with Michael Raynes deputising in the only change from the side that drew with Yeovil last weekend. James Jones (hernia) and Chris Dagnall (knee) are both making good progress and could be back in contention by the end of the month, while Ryan Wintle and Chris Porter are long-term absentees.
Crewe have picked up only one point from their last six games and sit one place and three points above the relegation zone.
A late decision will be made on whether Colchester's Kurtis Guthrie is fit enough to take part in the game. The striker sustained an ankle injury during last weekend's draw with Carlisle and missed the midweek victory over Coventry.
Ryan Jackson was also absent for the win against the Sky Blues while Brennan Dickenson will hope for more minutes after a brief substitute appearance following 10 months out with a knee injury. Colchester are pushing for the play-offs and will aim to continue an unbeaten run that currently stands at five matches.
Opta stats
Crewe have won just one of their last four home league meetings with Colchester (D2 L1), although that did come in a 2-0 victory in March last season. They had won each of the previous six home matches against the U's in the Football League prior to this spell.
Colchester have won two of the last three encounters between these two sides in League Two (L1), as many as they had managed in the previous 16 combined in the Football League (W2 D2 L12).
Crewe are winless in their last six League Two games (D1 L5). They last went seven without a win in February 2017 (11 games).
Colchester are currently unbeaten in five league games (W2 D3), after losing their previous two.
Crewe have lost more points from leading positions (23) than any other side in League Two this season.
