Peterborough United vs Colchester United preview - Posh keen for repeat performance

Peterborough will be hoping to replicate a strong midweek performance, against Crawley in the Capital One Cup, when they host Colchester.

Defenders Michael Smith, Ricardo Santos and Shaun Brisley are pushing for their first involvement of the season after missing the opening two fixtures. Smith (back) and Santos (ankle) had been tipped to appear on Tuesday night and Posh will look to make a decision on their return.

Brisley has recovered from a bout of tonsillitis but manager Dave Robertson may opt to stick with a central-defensive pairing of Gabriel Zakuani and Alex Davey.

Jack Baldwin (knee) is the club's only long-term absentee, with the defender hoping to put a time-scale on his spell on the sidelines after visiting a surgeon on Thursday.

Colchester lost their midweek cup tie at home to Reading 1-0 in extra-time, which came at some cost with goalkeeper Sam Walker suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury and he is now expected to miss the rest of the season.

U's captain Chris Porter is doubtful for the trip Posh having sustained an ankle injury during the 2-2 League One draw with Blackpool last Saturday.

Teenage forward Macauley Bonne, 19, started in place of Porter in the Colchester attack against the Royals and could be given the nod again by manager Tony Humes.

Number two Elliot Parish is expected to take on the goalkeeper's jersey, while veteran former Ipswich, Charlton and Newcastle midfielder Darren Ambrose will be hoping to add to the debut goal he scored against the Tangerines.