Colchester midfielder Tom Lapslie back in contention after ban

Posted Friday, November 03, 2017 by PA

Colchester will have midfielder Tom Lapslie available again following suspension for the FA Cup first-round tie against Oxford City.

Wing-back Kane Vincent-Young (hamstring) and attacking midfielder Sammie Szmodics (ankle) have both returned to training this week, so could feature in the squad.

U's boss John McGreal could freshen up the side following just one defeat from seven League Two matches, so defender Lewis Kinsella and midfielder Craig Slater may be drafted in.

Forward Kurtis Guthrie continues his protracted recovery from long-term ankle trouble, while midfielder Sean Murray is sidelined following a knee operation, while winger Brennan Dickenson, club captain Luke Prosser and midfielder Courtney Senior also continue their rehabilitation from respective by knee problems.

Oxford have on-loan defender Miles Welch-Hayes eligible as his parent club Bath City are out of the competition.

Christian Navarro is missing with a hamstring injury and Reece Fleet (knee) is a doubt, but striker Ezra Ford is back in contention after a knee injury.

Oxford have struggled in the National League South this season and lie second bottom of the table with just two wins from 15 games, but boss Mark Jones wants his side to enjoy the occasion.

"Let's try and forget about the league for a few days, be really positive and let's see how we get on," he said in a video on the club website.