npower League 1
, Feb 25, 2012
Ground: The Weston Homes Community Stadium
, Kickoff: 15:00 , Att 3,096
Team news
U's sweat on Wilson Brian Wilson may miss his first game of the season as Colchester play host to struggling Rochdale.
The reliable right-back, who has started each of the club's league and cup games, has been struck down with illness this week and faces a late assessment on Friday.
Should he miss out then John White is likely to switch across from left-back to cover, leaving Michael Rose and Ben Coker to compete for his slot.
Otherwise, manager John Ward pretty much has a full-strength squad to select from, with winger Ashley Vincent still stepping up his fitness work following his return to training after a hamstring injury.
Andy Bond staked his claim for a starting berth with a hat-trick for United's reserves on Wednesday as they booked their place in the Essex Senior Cup final.
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro remains Rochdale's only injury doubt.
Akpa Akpro missed Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with npower League One leaders Charlton due to a hamstring injury and it is feared the weekend action may come too soon for him.
Former Manchester City defender Stephen Jordan returned to the Dale starting line-up at The Valley as manager John Coleman set up with a 5-4-1 formation.
Attacking midfielder Ashley Grimes may return at Jordan's expense if Coleman opts for a more expansive approach against the U's.
Colchester vs Rochdale
Last modified 17:32 25/02/12
Dale still on the up Rochdale continued their recent revival under manager John Coleman with a battling goalless draw at Colchester.
There was little to choose between the two sides and chances were few and far between.
Colchester looked the most threatening in the first half and home debutant Freddie Sears fired over the crossbar after running at the Dale defence in the opening stages.
Steven Gillespie forced Rochdale goalkeeper Peter Kurucz into his first save when he parried a shot away and Ian Henderson saw his effort sail over from the edge of the penalty area.
Rochdale came close to taking the lead five minutes after the break when U's goalkeeper Ben Williams brilliantly denied Michael Symes from close range.
| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Substitution | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Williams | ||||
| 20 | Brian Wilson | ||||
| 4 | Magnus Okuonghae | ||||
| 18 | Tom Eastman | ||||
| 25 | John White | ||||
| 17 | Martin Rowlands(sub 59) |
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| 10 | Kemal Izzet |
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| 22 | Anthony Wordsworth | ||||
| 16 | Ian Henderson | ||||
| 9 | Steven Gillespie | ||||
| 11 | Freddie Sears | ||||
| Substitutes | |||||
| 3 | Michael Rose | ||||
| 6 | Matt Heath | ||||
| 14 | Andy Bond(sub 59) |
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| 15 | Kayode Odejayi | ||||
| 23 | Lloyd James | ||||
| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Substitution | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter Kurucz | ||||
| 2 | Stephen Darby | ||||
| 5 | Kevin Amankwaah(sub 83) |
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| 12 | Kevin Long |
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| 3 | Joe Widdowson | ||||
| 11 | Nicky Adams(sub 74) |
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| 6 | Brian Barry-Murphy | ||||
| 7 | Jason Kennedy | ||||
| 8 | Gary Jones | ||||
| 22 | Stephen Jordan(sub 45) |
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| 9 | Michael Symes |
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| Substitutes | |||||
| 23 | David Lucas | ||||
| 10 | Ashley Grimes(sub 45) |
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| 15 | Joe Thompson | ||||
| 16 | Andrew Tutte(sub 74) |
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| 17 | Dean Holden(sub 83) |
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| Team | Colchester | Rochdale |
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