Colchester United vs Doncaster Rovers - Colchester without Owen Garvan after midfielder leaves club

Posted Thursday, April 13, 2017 by PA

Colchester will be without Owen Garvan for the visit of League Two leaders Doncaster after the midfielder had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.

The Dublin-born 29-year-old made 18 appearance for the U's but has been allowed to leave the Essex club for personal reasons.

On-loan Reading winger Tarique Fosu impressed on his return to the starting line-up for last week's 4-0 win over Stevenage so is expected to keep his place, with Rekeil Pyke on the bench, while midfielder Doug Loft (Achilles) could soon be back in contention as Colchester chase a late play-off push.

Sammie Szmodics is out after suffering a broken leg, while leading scorer Kurtis Guthrie (ankle), midfielder Craig Slater (groin), defender Frankie Kent (ankle), forward Denny Johnstone (knee) and defender Luke Prosser (knee) are all long-term absentees.

Doncaster boss Darren Ferguson has no new injury worries but will monitor the fitness of skipper James Coppinger.

Coppinger is struggling with an ankle problem and was forced to start last week's home win against Mansfield on the substitutes' bench.

Striker Liam Mandeville, out since early February due to a hamstring injury, is hoping to feature before the end of the season but is not expected to be involved in either fixture over the Easter weekend.

Midfielder Conor Grant (groin) is in contention after returning as an unused substitute last Saturday, while Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (knee) remains a long-term absentee.