COLCHESTER United boss Aidy Boothroyd believes the club's next two away games against bottom half sides will tell him more about his team than their recent home wins over League One high-fliers.

Stuart Watson

Next two games a

measuring stick

By Stuart Watson

COLCHESTER United boss Aidy Boothroyd believes the club's next two away games against bottom half sides will tell him more about his team than their recent home wins over League One high-fliers.

The Essex club visit George Williams' 16th place O's today before travelling to a Wycombe side that are currently second from bottom next weekend.

The U's will be firm favourites for both matches following recent home wins over Charlton and Huddersfield sides that have promotion ambitions, however, Boothroyd knows that neither game is going to be a walkover for his in-form side who have now gone six games undefeated under his management.

“I think the next two games are a bigger measuring stick for us then the previous two. We all know about teams that do well in cup competitions against big clubs and then get knocked out against a minnow.

“Some players raise their game against the top sides but then can't do it against the teams that are down there fighting for their lives.

“When you are the underdog you are the hunter and when you are at the top you become the hunted. We know that we are the ones being hunted at the moment so the next two games will be a big test.”

Boothroyd is likely to name an unchanged side for the third match in succession for today's match at Brisbane Road.

Captain Pat Baldwin is still not fit following the leg and ankle injury suffered against Southampton, while winger Ashley Vincent could now be out until December after it was discovered he will need surgery on the ankle injury sustained against Swindon.

That means Kevin Lisbie will once again play on the right, while striker Steven Gillespie - who scored a hat-trick for the reserves on Tuesday - is likely to be once again used as an impact substitute again as Clive Platt and Kayode Odejayi continue to form a good understanding.

Paul Reid played for the first time since dislocating his kneecap against Huddersfield in March this year in that midweek reserve game, but is unlikely to be considered for the bench just yet.

Today's game will see former Colchester player, coach and manager George Williams up against the club he spent a decade at for the third time since his departure and Boothroyd was full of praise for his Welsh counterpart

He said: “I've competed against him a couple of times and George is one of the people in the game that everyone likes because he's a gentleman. That goes out the window on Saturday though because I want to beat him.

“They beat us earlier in the season so there's respect there straight away, but things have changed since then.

“As I said, this will be an interesting little measuring stick for us.”

Squads

Orient: Jones, Morris, Cave-Brown, Daniels, Chorley, Mkandawire, Ashworth, Purches, Baker, Smith, Summerfield, Townsend, Beautyman, Sydes, McGleish, Patulea, Scowcroft, Jarvis.

Colchester: Williams, Cousins, White, Okuonghae, Batth, Heath, Tierney, Bender, O'Toole, Izzet, Hackney, Fox, Wordsworth, Ifil, Elito, Platt, Odejayi, Gillespie.