The Third Round of the FA Cup sees Colchester entertain Charlton for the right to play in the Fourth Round proper and perhaps land a more lucrative match.

KK and the whole team have been buoyed by the point won at the Latics last weekend, whilst the Addicks fought out a 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest.

Both teams are at the wrong end of their respective divisions and both have endured some wretched results. That is why tomorrow is so important. It is a welcome distraction from the league, but it also offers the winners the chance to play one of the big four premiership clubs either home or away.

Now KK has confirmed that both Big George Elokobi and Owen Garvan are fit to play and I expect both to figure in the starting line up.

Jake Kean on loan from the Canaries will start in goal and I would imagine that other changes will be minimal.

Charlton may well regret allowing Cally Messi to play for us in the earlier rounds because he put in a MOTM performance against Forest last week. So be it. They have two signings in Johnson and Poyet likely to start. They will also have more than 1,500 Addicks in the crowd supporting the Championship strugglers.

Colchester to line up 4,4,2

Kean

Brindley Eastman Elokobi Wynter

Gilbey Moncur Garvan Massey

Sordell Porter

Subs:

Parish, Briggs, Vincent-Young, Ambrose, Lapslie, Bonne, Wright

It is a cup tie and neither team will want a replay. A crowd of 5,000 will see a decent game on a good surface. (We have had snow today in Co Durham but no such problems in North Essex).

I expect Colchester to shade a close encounter, perhaps 2-0.

Safe travelling to the faithful, enjoy the game.

Up the U's

Photo: Action Images

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