U's midfielders hope for return Anthony Wordsworth and Karl Duguid are expected to come back in to Colchester's starting XI when the basement dwellers host Crawley. The midfield duo had to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench during Saturday's defeat to Doncaster due to ankle and knee injuries respectively. Wordsworth replaced skipper Kem Izzet in the latter stages against Rovers and came through unscathed, but Marcus Bean or Andy Bond are most likely to drop to the bench. John Ward's side are currently on a three-match losing streak and sit bottom of the npower League One table after a string of disappointing performances. The U's have scored just one goal in their last three outings and Ward is expected to make some changes to his forward line. Clinton Morrison came off the bench last weekend and could be in contention for a starting place. John-Joe O'Toole may also be recalled to the midfield. Josh Simpson and Hope Akpan return to the Crawley squad. The midfield duo missed Saturday's 2-1 win at Preston through suspension after their red cards against Portsmouth the week before. Dannie Bulman and Mark Connolly came into the side at the weekend and will hope to keep their places after a victory which took the Red Devils up to fourth. Defender Claude Davis remains a doubt having missed the last three matches with a hip problem while winger Sergio Torres is also likely to sit out again due to a leg injury. Nicky Ajose is set to partner skipper Gary Alexander in attack again although Billy Clarke, who came off the bench on Saturday, will hope to feature against one of his former clubs.
Source: PA
