Paul Reid and Matt Carbon are fit again but could have a struggle dislodging Bobby Hassell and Antony Kay from the centre of the defence after their fine showing at Tranmere last weekend.
Antony McParland could make his debut in place of either Chris Shuker or Martin Devaney whilst it’s still touch and go whether Jacob Burns will start after his trial in Poland this week.
Up front with both Marc Richards and Daniel Nardiello suspended, Tommy Wright is set to partner Paul Hayes.
Probable Line-Up:
Nick Colgan
Bobby Hassell
Matt Carbon
Paul Reid
Neil Austin
Martin Devaney/Antony McParland
Stephen McPhail
Brian Howard
Chris Shuker/Antony McParland
Paul Hayes
Tommy Wright
This game could go either way with both teams gaining relative success at Oakwell. There have been six Barnsley wins 5 Colchester wins and 4 draws. One good omen though is Colchester’s last victory at Oakwell came 26 years ago on 16th February 1980.
In the previous meeting this season Colchester grabbed a 1-0 win at Layer Road courtesy of a Chris Iwelumo header (Iwelumo is a former Red target)
Last 6 Barnsley Colchester Results:
13/8/05 Colchester 1-0 Barnsley (League One)
30/4/05 Barnsley 1-1 Colchester (League One)
7/12/04 Colchester 0-2 Barnsley (League One)
10/1/04 Colchester 1-1 Barnsley (Division Two)
9/8/03 Barnsley 1-0 Colchester (Division Two)
22/3/03 Barnsley 1-1 Colchester (Division Two)
2005/2006 Last 6 Results:
Barnsley:
18/2/06 Tranmere 0-1 Barnsley (League One)
14/2/06 Barnsley 1-1 Port Vale (League One)
11/1/06 Doncaster 2-0 Barnsley (League One)
4/2/06 Barnsley 2-0 Bristol City (League One)
27/1/06 Nottingham Forest 0-2 Barnsley (League One)
21/1/06 Barnsley 2-0 MK Dons (League One)
W:4 D:1 L:1 F:8 A:3 GD:5 Points:13
Colchester:
19/2/06 Chelsea 3-1 Colchester ( FA Cup Fifth Round)
14/2/06 Colchester 0-0 Walsall ( League One)
11/2/06 Huddersfield 2-0 Colchester ( League One)
7/2/06 Colchester 1-0 Scunthorpe ( League One)
4/2/06 Colchester 3-1 Bradford ( League One)
28/1/06 Colchester 3-1 Derby ( FA Cup Fourth Round)
W:3 D:1 L:2 F:8 A:7 GD:1 Points:7
Barnsley sit 6th in League One with 55 points from 33 games, they are 4 points behind Colchester who sit 3rd with 59 points from 32 games.