Colchester United vs Crewe Alexandra - Colchester could welcome back midfield pair

Colchester midfielders Owen Garvan and Darren Ambrose could be available for selection for the League One clash with Crewe.

The pair missed out last week with hip and toe injuries respectively but could be fit enough to come back for the U's, who sit in 17th place.

Captain Chris Porter scored a consolation goal in Colchester's 4-1 defeat at Millwall on Saturday after coming off the bench and the forward will hope his form can earn him a return to the starting line-up.

Full-back Richard Brindley is edging closer to return after a knee injury after playing for the development squad on Monday.

Crewe have Ryan Lowe to call upon for Tuesday's contest after the veteran striker rejoined them on loan.

Lowe on Monday completed a temporary switch from Bury until January 5, the 37-year-old moving back to a club he scored 17 times for in his stint with them between 2006 and 2008.

He has returned with Crewe certainly needing a boost as the division's bottom side and joint-lowest scorers and having suffered a 5-1 home thrashing against Peterborough on Saturday.

Lauri Dalla Valle (neck) remains sidelined along with David Fox (back) and Harry Davis (knee), but Brad Inman is expected to be involved, despite boss Steve Davis saying he has been "kicked around" of late and left "a bit battered and bruised".