Colchester are badly depleted for the visit of Crawley.

Former Arsenal defender Cohen Bramall came off during the 2-2 draw against Exeter with an ankle injury and left the JobServe Community Stadium on Sunday wearing a protective boot.

Omar Sowunmi and Courtney Senior – who sustained a groin injury in the warm-up before the Grecians game – also joined Luke Prosser (knee) and Paris Cowan-Hall (Achilles) on the casualty list.

U’s boss John McGreal says one or two other players are nursing knocks and Colchester will definitely be without defender Tom Lapslie, who starts a three-match ban after being sent off against Exeter.

Crawley look set to be without Lewis Young for the Sky Bet League Two fixture.

The full-back suffered a shoulder injury in the closing stages of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Grimsby.

David Sesay, Ashley Nathaniel-George and George Francomb all featured in the second half at Blundell Park and are in contention for starting spots.

Reece Grego-Cox has missed the last three games with a hamstring problem.