Live Commentary

Wordsworth blow for Us Colchester will be without leading scorer Anthony Wordsworth for their home encounter against fellow play-off hopefuls Stevenage. The midfielder bagged his eighth goal of the campaign to down Hartlepool 1-0 last weekend before then collecting his fifth booking, incurring an automatic one-match suspension. His absence is likely to see John-Joe O'Toole, Kemal Izzet, Ben Coker and Steven Gillespie all competing to start in John Ward's XI. With the Us having recorded successive wins with an unchanged line-up, Ward is set to keep other changes to a minimum. Defender Pat Baldwin made his return for the club's reserves in midweek after over two months on the sidelines with a fractured toe and may earn a place in United's matchday 16. Winger Ashley Vincent is not yet ready to return from his torn hamstring. Chris Beardsley is an injury doubt for Stevenage while fellow striker Ben May will definitely miss out. Leading scorer Beardsley suffered a hamstring injury during the 2-1 home win over Tranmere last weekend. The 27-year-old was forced off shortly after giving Boro a 38th-minute lead against Rovers with his eighth goal of the season. He is set for a scan to determine the extent of the damage. May will not be part of the squad that travels to Essex after he was sent off just 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute against Tranmere. He will begin a three-match suspension. If both strikers are absent, Don Cowan could make his first start for the club. The Irishman, signed from League of Ireland Division One side Longford Town in August, finally made his long-awaited league debut for Boro as a late sub last weekend. The 22-year-old has endured four miserable months in Hertfordshire that began with a lengthy spell waiting for international clearance, followed by a knee injury and then an extended spell of fitness-building before his first run-out.