COLCHESTER United defender Wayne Brown is planning to overshadow his former team-mate Richard Naylor when Ipswich Town visit Layer Road for a mouth-watering Championship encounter on Friday evening.

By Mel Henderson

COLCHESTER United defender Wayne Brown is planning to overshadow his former team-mate Richard Naylor when Ipswich Town visit Layer Road for a mouth-watering Championship encounter on Friday evening.

Brown learnt his trade at Portman Road and made 50 senior appearances for Town but now is very much a Colchester player.

The 29-year-old old is plotting the downfall of his old team.

Naylor was an out-and-out striker during Brown's stay at Ipswich.

But now both players are permanent fixtures in the heart of defence at their respective clubs.

“I'm hoping to be marking Bam Bam (Naylor) at corners on Friday. I'm looking forward to the challenge,” insisted Brown.

“Bam Bam used to think that he was the best striker at the club when Joe Royle was the manager. But Joe had other ideas. He didn't see it that way, and Bam Bam has turned into a good defender.

“I reckon that it's sometimes easier when a former striker moves into central defence.

“He knows the sort of runs that strikers make. Bam Bam is still one of Ipswich's best players.

“We have always kept in touch socially, and he's always sending me messages on the phone,” added Brown, who has a home in Suffolk.

Town will move into second spot if they manage to chalk up a fifth win from their last six matches on Friday. The match is to be screened live on Sky Sports TV.

But the U's are bang in form themselves, having won three and drawn two of their last five fixtures.

And Brown is predicting a shock: “Ipswich will not enjoy it at Layer Road, playing against us.

“There will be a great little atmosphere. We will be out to start on the front foot and put Ipswich under pressure.

“It's a fixture that I've been looking forward to ever since we won promotion.

“We want to make home advantage count,” concluded Brown.