Colchester United v Southend United

[Mighty T.A.L.]

After both clubs won promotion from League One last season, the first Essex derby of the Championship season takes place at Layer Road with Colchester chasing a seventh home win in a row.

West Ham striker Hogan Ephraim goes into the U's squad after joining on loan on Thursday - with Richard Garcia expected to return next week - whilst the return of midfielder Kevin Watson from a calf injury means Marino Keith (ankle) is the club's only long term concern.

Bottom club Southend are without a league win in 14 games, but Steve Tilson boosted his squad with the loan signing of Arnau Riera and striker Lee Bradbury could also feature after scoring twice on his reserve comeback after three months out with a hip injury.

Spencer Prior looks to have shaken off a knee injury, with Lewis Hunt (ankle) also training, but the game comes too soon for striker Billy Paynter despite overcoming a hamstring problem.

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[kennethlindheim]

Colchester:

1 Aidan Davison
2 Greg Halford
12 Pat Baldwin
5 Wayne Brown
18 Chris Barker
7 Karl Duguid
4 Johnnie Jackson
10 Kemal Izzet
20 Kevin McLeod
11 Chris Iwelumo
8 Jamie Cureton

Subs
13 Dean Gerken
3 John White
6 Kevin Watson
22 Richie Jones
15 Jamie Guy

Southend:
1 Darryl Flahavan
2 Simon Francis
16 Efetobore Sodje
5 Spencer Prior
18 Steven Hammell
17 Jamal Campbell-Ryce
8 Kevin Maher
26 Alan McCormack
7 Mark Gower
10 Freddy Eastwood
24 Matt Harrold

Subs
15 Peter Clarke
11 Mitchell Cole
20 Gary Hooper
27 Arnau Riera
12 Lee Bradbury

[kennethlindheim]

0-0 Half-time!

[kennethlindheim]

1:0 Greg Halford (69)

[kennethlindheim]

2:0 Pat Baldwin (74)

[kennethlindheim]

3:0 Jamie Cureton (85)

[kennethlindheim]

3-0 Full-time!

[Mighty T.A.L.]

3 red cars in the game:

Colchester: Chris Barker (78')
Southend: Kevin Maher (51'), Mark Gower (56')