Preview: Colchester United vs. Doncaster Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

As for the away side, they remain two points off the playoff places, and a win is likely to keep them within touching distance of the top seven.

Match preview

Colchester made a dismal start to the campaign, losing five of their opening nine league games, a run of form that caused them to part with manager Wayne Brown.

However, his replacement, Matt Bloomfield, has not managed to fare much better thus far, as his side are now two points from safety, having also played an extra game than 22nd-placed Gillingham.

There were positive signs at the beginning of Bloomfield's reign, securing a 2-1 victory over Harrogate Town in his second game in charge of the Essex club.

Since then though, there has been little to shout about for the U's, crashing out of the FA Cup at the start of November and without a win in their last six league games.

Most recently, Colchester probably should have taken more from an away trip to Crewe Alexandra, having six shots on target compared to their opponents' three, but it was the same old story for the U's, losing 1-0 due to a late Dan Agyei goal.

Doncaster are 10th in the League Two standings in their first year back in the EFL's lowest tier, two points off seventh-placed Mansfield Town, who occupy the last spot in the playoffs.

Saturday's visitors have also parted with a manager already this season, sacking Gary McSheffrey in October after a run of seven points from eight games, with a 3-0 loss at Carlisle United being considered the final straw.

It has been a mixed start for the new man in the dugout, Danny Schofield, beginning his era with a 1-1 draw away at Crewe Alexandra before losing 1-0 to Stevenage in his first game at the Eco-Power Stadium.

There has been an uptick in league form for Donny since then, first defeating Gillingham 1-0 at home and then taking all three points on their travels against Grimsby Town courtesy of a 3-1 victory.

In between those two games was a particularly disappointing result though, as Schofield's side lost 1-0 at home to National League side King's Lynn Town, bowing out of the FA Cup at the first round stage.

Colchester United League Two form:

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Colchester United form (all competitions):

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Doncaster Rovers League Two form:

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Doncaster Rovers form (all competitions):

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Team News

Colchester defender Tommy Smith has been an unused substitute in the last two matches, having recovered from a foot injury sustained in pre-season, and the club captain could make his return on Saturday.

Season-long loanee Kwesi Appiah has stepped up his rehabilitation at parent club Crawley Town and is not far off a return from a hamstring injury, but the game this weekend will come too soon.

Samson Tovide has impressed for the Under-21s in recent times, and he started against Mansfield last time out, but the more experienced Freddie Sears may instead be chosen to lead the line.

For Doncaster, defender Ollie Younger is stepping up his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in pre-season, but he is said to still be a long way off first-team action.

There is seemingly no reason for Schofield to change a side that won on the road last time out, and George Miller should start up front, having scored a brace in the 3-1 win.

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Hornby; Kazeem, Smith, Chambers, Tchamadeu; Judge, Ashley, Nouble, Hannant, Newby; Sears

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Mitchell; Williams, Anderson, Long; Knoyle, Close, Biggins, Maxwell; Molyneux, Hurst, Miller

We say: Colchester United 0-2 Doncaster Rovers

Owing to terrible recent form from Colchester, Doncaster should be able to make it two wins on the spin away from home in League Two. Schofield has made a decent start as manager, and his squad has more than enough about it to outclass the U's.

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