Colchester United vs Walsall - Colchester face difficult test against high-flying Walsall

Colchester will look to build on their much-needed win against Port Vale when they host high-flying Walsall this weekend.

United ended a run of three straight defeats with a 2-1 win over Vale, but face a sterner test against the second-placed Saddlers.

Boss Tony Humes saw Owen Garvan play 50 minutes of his comeback from a foot problem against Vale and the midfielder is likely to be assessed.

Sam Walker (cruciate ligament) is out, as are Alex Wynter (heel), Richard Brindley (bone bruising) and Kane Vincent-Young (Achilles). Striker Gavin Massey has a calf problem but will hope to be involved.

Walsall midfielder Sam Mantom is out for up to a month with an ankle injury.

Craig MacGillvray is set to continue in goal for Walsall with regular number one Neil Etheridge still sidelined by a knee injury he suffered in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Chesterfield.

The keeper replaced Etheridge for Tuesday's 2-0 win at Barnsley and will keep his place.

Andy Taylor has trained after sitting out the Oakwell victory with a knee problem but James O'Connor remains a doubt as he continues to struggle with a groin issue.