Promotion chasing Northampton Town welcome struggling Colchester United to Sixfields in League Two on Saturday. Kick-off is at 14:00 GMT.

Northampton are in good form at the moment with two wins and a draw in their last three games and sit fourth in League Two, one point behind Exeter City who occupy the final automatic promotion spot.

Colchester sit 21st and have only lost once in their last five games with three draws, one win and one defeat leaving them five points clear of the relegation zone.

  • Team news

Northampton boss Jon Brady will be without midfielder Shaun McWilliams who is suspended and will be hoping Jack Sowerby recovers in time for Saturday having missed the last two games with a knee injury.

Aaron McGowan and Josh Eppiah are also doubts for the Cobblers but could be back in contention for the game.

Colchester have struggled with illness and injuries recently but will be hopeful that a number of key players will return on Saturday. 

John Akinde is expected to be available having recovered from COVID-19, while Noah Chilvers is also expected to make a return.

United boss Wayne Brown is expecting to have Tom Dallison available following a scan which revealed his groin injury is not as serious as it first appeared.

  • Predicted line-ups

Northampton Town: Roberts, Hoskins, Magloire, Guthrie, Horsfall, Koiki, Sowerby, Lewis, Lubala, Appere, Pinnock.

Colchester United: Hornby, Chambers, Smith, Wiredu, Skuse, Judge, Sears, Edwards, Kenlock, Eastman, Tchamadeu.

  • Ones to watch

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Winger Sam Hoskins has looked dangerous all season for the Cobblers and is currently their top scorer with seven goals.

Although described as a winger, Hoskins is one of the Cobblers' and League Two's most versatile players, having played in a variety of positions this season including out wide, up front and he is expected to feature at wing back on Saturday.

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As for Colchester, Freddie Sears has by far been their most dangerous player this season.

Sears has 12 goals and three assists for United this season which is far more than anyone else in their side.

His latest goal contribution came last weekend when he assisted his sides opening goal against Carlisle United.

  • Previous meetings

The two sides have met 78 times previously with the record just tipping in Northampton's favour. 

The Cobblers have 34 wins, with 14 draws and 30 Colchester wins.

The last time the sides met was in the reverse fixture this season back in August when Northampton were 1-0 winners.

  • Where to watch

While the game is not available to watch live in the UK, overseas supporters can watch the game via either clubs' iFollow service. 

Supporters in the UK can use iFollow to listen to the match live.