Swindon vs Colchester preview - Robins optimisitc on Thompson

Posted Friday, October 24, 2014 by PA

Swindon are confident Louis Thompson will be available to line up against Colchester.

The Robins midfielder suffered a niggling calf strain in training and was not risked from the start in Swindon's 3-2 defeat to Rochdale on Tuesday night, instead being introduced just after half-time.

But boss Mark Cooper is optimistic he will return to the starting XI, with Ben Gladwin the player most likely to bow out.

One player who will not be involved is Raphael Branco (groin) who is closing in on a return to action after a month on the sidelines but this match comes too soon for the defender while Jonathan Obika could be handed his first start since recovering from a shoulder injury.

Colchester's teenage defender Frankie Kent is expected to be in contention after being forced out of the midweek win against Chesterfield after being struck in the face by the ball.

Kent was hit from point-blank range and stretchered off the field, but did not suffer from concussion and is hoping to resume at the heart of defence.

Skipper Magnus Okoughae is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up. The defender made his first appearance since completing a four-game ban on Tuesday night and replaced Kent, leaving boss Tony Humes with a potential selection dilemma.

Another defender, David Wright, remains sidelined with a thigh injury as the U's bid to extend their unbeaten league run to four matches.