Colchester United vs Blackpool preview - U's sweating on Walker

Posted Friday, August 07, 2015 by PA

Goalkeeper Sam Walker is hopeful of being fit enough to line up between the sticks for Colchester against Blackpool.

The stopper has suffered a setback with the knee issue which troubled him towards the end of the 2014-15 season and has not played a full 90 minutes in pre-season.

Ex-Blackpool stopper Elliot Parish, signed by the U's this summer, is in line to fill in for Walker if his knee proves too troublesome.

Former Ipswich and Crystal Palace midfielder Darren Ambrose joined this week and having spent pre-season with Mick McCarthy's men, Colchester hope his fitness is up to scratch for the Football League's kick-off.

John Herron will miss the first game of the season for new-look Blackpool as they begin life under Neil McDonald.

The midfielder has received a knock on his knee and will be the only one of 21 players not available to McDonald, who has been charged with trying to turn around the fortunes of the Seasiders.

A vastly inexperienced squad was boosted by Emmerson Boyce's arrival on Wednesday night but nine of McDonald's other 20 squad members have played 10 or fewer League games in the past two seasons.

Blackpool's last away victory came in April 2014 and they have not won a competitive game in seven months.