Colchester vs Sheffield United preview - Okuonghae starts long ban

Posted Tuesday, September 16, 2014 by PA

Colchester will be without captain Magnus Okuonghae when Sheffield United visit the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The defender was sent off in their win over Leyton Orient on Saturday after receiving a second booking and, due to it being his second red card of the season, he has been hit with a four-match ban.

It was the U's second consecutive clean sheet as new manager Tony Humes appears to be making his mark on the club.

Tosin Olufemi is still out with a ruptured Achilles tendon and Sanchez Watt will be assessed after he made a goalscoring comeback from injury in the 2-0 win.

Sheffield United striker Jamie Murphy faces a fitness battle ahead of Tuesday night's trip to Colchester after suffering a dead leg in Saturday's hard-fought home win over Rochdale.

Ryan Flynn came off the bench to replace Murphy just after the hour mark at Bramall Lane and could be in line to start, although Michael Higdon is another alternative to step in.

Nigel Clough was pleased to get midfielder James Wallace into the action on 75 minutes as he builds towards full fitness following a thigh injury and the manager is keen to maintain the momentum after starting a busy fortnight with a win.

"It's a big couple of weeks for us with having five games in that period, but we've got a chance of getting up into that top six and through to the next round of the cup," Clough told Blades Player. "We're showing good signs now and we're optimistic about it all."