Preview: Colchester v Owls

Wednesday will aim to keep their 100 per cent winning start to the season in tact on Saturday when they travel to Colchester United for their first away game of the campaign.

With all due respect to Dag & Red and Bury, Colchester will provide Wednesday with their first real challenge of the campaign - and boss Alan Irvine will be hoping his men can pass the test.

Trips to Colchester haven't been too fruitful for the Owls in recent visits, but Wednesdayites will be hoping a new stadium, in the Weston Homes Community Stadium, brings new results.

United are also unbeaten in their opening two matches, drawing 2-2 at Exeter on the opening day before progressing in the League Cup with a 3-0 win at Hereford.

Giles Coke told the official SWFC website:

'I'd like to think I'll start the game this weekend. It's a very good squad from the defence all the way up to the strikers.

'There are two players in each position so it's going to be hard, but if I can continue to chip in with goals from midfield hopefully I can get a good run of games in the side.

'In the past I haven't scored as many goals as I'd like to, but I'm off to a good start and I hope to continue to do what I'm doing.'

He added: 'Colchester is going to be a tough game. They're a really strong and physical team, but if we work really hard and bring our game, we can win the game.'

U's boss John Ward will be keeping his fingers crossed that Dave Mooney gets the nod to play on Saturday after picking up a knock in the 3-0 cup win over Hereford in midweek.

Mooney bagged two goals in the win but had to leave the field of play early though injury, but he could be back in the starting line-up this Saturdsay.

Andy Bond also departed from the Carling Cup early after picking up a knock and he'll be hoping he's fit for Colchester's first home game of the new league campaign.

Other than that, United have no fresh injury or suspension concerns.

Wordsworth bagged a brace in Colchester's 2-2 draw at Exeter last weekend and he'll be looking to continue on the goal trail against the Owls this weekend, this time with three points instead of just the one.

Owls boss Alan Irvine will have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash and is expected to welcome Marcus Tudgay and Chris Sedgwick back into the Owls' starting eleven.

Both missed the midweek win against Bury after picking up minor niggles but Irvine is hoping they're both ready to feature against the U's.

Irvine is also expected to recall Clinton Morrison and Giles Coke, who were both used as substitutes in midweek, back into the starting eleven.

Lewis Buxton and James O'Connor should also return after being rested against Bury.

The midfield may have only featured twice for Wednesday since his summer switch from the SPL but he's already becoming a fans' favourite at Hillsborough. More of the same on Saturday, please Giles.

Head-to-Head:

Colchester wins: 8

Wednesday wins: 4

Draws: 4

Last Time Out:

Colchester 1-2 Wednesday

Layer Road, 11/3/08

Wednesday have had a pretty poor time of it at Layer Road but did bag the three points the last time the sides met. Kevin Lisbie had fired the hosts ahead after 4 minutes but goals from Deon Burton and Wade Small before half-time sealed the win for the Owls.

Form:

Colchester: D-W

Owls: W-W

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