Preview: Salford City vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

The initial fixture was postponed due to a frozen pitch at the Greater Manchester-based club.

Match preview

Karl Robinson hopes his team are not too downbeat after suffering a 5-1 hammering at the hands of League Two-leading Mansfield on Saturday, ending an eight-game undefeated run for the 19th-placed side.

While Salford are two places clear of Tuesday's opponents and four ahead of the bottom two, the home side do not face an immediate threat of a relegation tussle due to the 13-point lead on Forest Green Rovers in 23rd.

That is an upshot of the unbeaten run since the turn of the year, inspired by the decision to appoint Robinson as Neil Wood's replacement, with the Ammies securing four victories and as many draws.

Strikingly, their four wins came against Crawley Town (1-0), Crewe Alexandra (3-2), Wrexham (3-1) and Barrow (5-3), comprising sides in the league's current top eight.

A response to Saturday's setback should be on the agenda for the home side, keen to return to winning ways after being brought down to earth with the 5-1 loss at Mansfield.

Colchester may be winless in four, but Danny Cowley's men have played out draws in three gameweeks, pointing to this group's propensity to eke out advantageous results regardless of the situation.

The U's need all the points they can get, having sacked Matthew Etherington on New Year's Day for Cowley, and that move has staved off the club's bleeding, having lost eight of the previous nine.

Since that managerial introduction, the club from Essex have lost once to Harrogate Town, a 92nd-minute winner for Jack Muldoon to end their undefeated run under the new regime.

Having ended their losing run, the Greater Manchester outfit must find ways to turn draws into maximum points to climb the table and move further away from the bottom two.

Colchester cannot fall into the bottom three after Tuesday's result, as they hold a five-point advantage on 23rd-placed Forest Green, but winning adds to supporters' belief in the campaign's closing months.

Salford City League Two form:

W

W

D

D

W

L

Colchester United League Two form:

D

W

D

L

D

D

Team News

Theo Vassell is suspended for Salford, having received a straight red for a professional foul as the last man in the defeat by Mansfield.

Matt Smith has netted seven times since the managerial change to outdo his teammates, and the forward should relish the possibility of adding to that tally on Tuesday.

Owen Goodman's penalty save in the 80th minute preserved Colchester's point at Sutton United, and the goalkeeper should keep his place in the side.

Jayden Fevrier is doubtful for the away side after being replaced injured in minute 83 in Saturday's draw.

Salford City possible starting lineup:

Cairns; Chesters, Mariappa, Tilt, Garbutt; Watson, Watt; Luamba, Hendry, McAleny; Smith

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Goodman; Richardson, Harbottle, Hall, Iandolo; Smith, Read, McGeehan; Chilvers, Akinde, Jay

We say: Salford City 1-1 Colchester United

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