Russell Osman faces an East Anglian derby in his first game in charge of the U18s when the youngsters take on Norwich City at Playford Road on Saturday morning (KO 11am).

Former central defender Osman took charge of the academy’s senior side earlier in the week, taking on the position vacated by Mike Pejic earlier in the season.

Osman is delighted to be back at Portman Road 26 years after moving on during his playing days: “I’m enjoying being at a training ground having missed the banter, the giggles and the laughs.

“Some of the lads will have to be picked up and it will not always be easy but we have some talented youngsters here to work with.”

Town, who are still without injured pair Caolan Lavery and Nicolay Schrøder, will be looking to prevent the Canaries achieving a league double, the Norfolk side having won 1-0 on home soil in September. Norwich also won a friendly between the teams 2-1 in January.

Meanwhile, the reserve game against Watford scheduled for March 2nd has been postponed because the Hornets are in Youth Cup action that week. No new date has yet been set.

U18s: Cropper, Bennett, Whight, Jones, Meekings, McKeown, Winter, Scotcher, Burke, Carson, Tiofack, Maduako, O’Donnell, Acott, Lawrence, Simmons.

Photo: ITFC

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

Photo: Action Images

Colchester United Polls