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U's sweat on Rowlands fitness Martin Rowlands remains a doubt for Colchester's crucial home clash against Carlisle. The midfielder has missed the last three matches with a groin injury picked up at Wycombe. Manager John Ward has kept an extremely settled side of late and again named an unchanged XI for Tuesday's goalless draw at Stevenage - a third in succession and fifth in the last six games. With no new injury or suspension problems expected, Ward could again opt to keep the faith this weekend although the likes of Gavin Massey, Freddie Sears, Ashley Vincent and Karl Duguid provide options. Colchester, in ninth, go into the game six points adrift of sixth-placed Carlisle in the final play-off spot but know victory would halve that deficit as the season enters the final straight. Carlisle will include Jordan Cook in their squad after the Sunderland striker agreed to extend his loan spell at the club for a second time. Cook, 21, returned to the Stadium of Light after the recent home win over Bury but is back in contention for Greg Abbott's play-off chasers. Abbott, who has no new injury or suspension problems, must decide whether to put Cook straight into the side or start with him on the bench and retain Lee Miller and Francois Zoko up front. Danny Livesey looks set to continue his partnership alongside Peter Murphy in central defence after the Cumbrians kept a clean sheet in their goalless draw with Preston in midweek, meaning Lubo Michalik is likely to start on the bench again. Chris Chantler will continue at left-back as Matty Robson remains sidelined with the back problem that has kept him out since early January. Carlisle climbed into sixth place on Tuesday night and are a point better off than nearest rivals Stevenage and Notts County.