Preview: Colchester United vs. Newport County - prediction, team news, lineups

Newport County make the trip to Colchester United on Friday evening looking for the victory which will move them into the League Two playoff positions.

Despite having recorded two wins from their last three fixtures, Colchester still only sit in 20th position in the standings.

Match preview

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For all the high expectations which came with Hayden Mullins's appointment at Colchester, the U's are still struggling to fire for the 42-year-old on a regular basis.

Such has been their poor form that it has taken victories over Scunthorpe United and Exeter City to move the club seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Taking advantage of their game in hand will catapult them towards the mid-table positions, but Mullins knows that his players need to find more consistency with their performances.

Their longest unbeaten streak since September 10 stands at two matches, while Colchester are still looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Having defeated high-flying Exeter by a 3-1 scoreline on Tuesday night, Mullins will hope that the result acts as the catalyst for prolonged improvements at both ends of the pitch.

As for Newport, they are still going through a transitional period under James Rowberry, the former Cardiff City coach recording three wins and three defeats from his opening seven matches.

County would have had high hopes of collecting three points at Crawley Town on Tuesday night, but they were reliant on Dom Telford's equaliser six minutes from time.

The stalemate extended their unbeaten record on their travels to four games, while they can now advance into fifth position if they secure all three points on Friday evening.

Telford remains the standout player in the fourth tier right now, the 24-year-old having netted 10 times during his last six appearances.

Team News

Colchester will be forced into at least one alteration after Junior Tchamadeu went off injured during the first half against Exeter.

That should result in a start for Cameron Coxe at right-back, and the rest of the team could remain the same unless Mullins decides to recall Frank Nouble in attack.

Ed Upson will miss out for Newport after being handed his fifth yellow card of the campaign earlier this week.

Jake Cain is in line to deputise in midfield, while Courtney Baker-Richardson should get the nod over veteran Kevin Ellison.

As a result of Matthew Dolan going off injured at Crawley, Scot Bennett may come into the defence.

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Turner; Coxe, Chambers, Smith, Daniels; Skuse, Chilvers; Jasper, Dobra, Hannant; Sears

Newport County possible starting lineup:

Day; Clarke, Bennett, Demetriou; Norman, Azaz, Cain, Cooper, Lewis; Baker-Richardson, Telford

We say: Colchester United 1-1 Newport County

With their recent form not matching up with their respective league positions, this is a difficult match to call. County are likely to show more ambition in the final third, but we are backing this contest to end in a low-scoring draw.