Boss Jim Magilton is set to make changes to his side for tonight's Carling Cup second round tie at home to Colchester United. Former Bolton man Iván Campo is likely to make his debut for the Blues.
Campo may not yet be ready to start a game having had little pre-season prior to joining the Blues just as the season got under way, but Magilton said last week that the veteran was likely to be involved against the U's at some stage.
The ex-Real Madrid played at the heart of the defence for the reserves last week, but after Saturday's poor display against Wolves, Magilton may be keen to give the 34-year-old a run-out in central midfield, where he played most of his football for Bolton.
The Town manager has already indicated that he intends to use Shane Supple in goal in cup games, while Alex Bruce will start his three-match ban for his red card against Wolves.
Magilton has previously said that David Wright could return to the side tonight, although Chris Casement will be hoping to get the nod having occupied the right-back role in the Carling Cup victory over Leyton Orient. If Wright isn't ready for a return, then he may play in a behind-closed-doors friendly arranged for Wednesday.
Tommy Smith and Pim Balkestein could also be in line for recalls depending on how many changes the Blues boss is looking to make to his side.
In midfield, Jon Walters still looks short on match sharpness and is likely to keep his place, while Owen Garvan may be called back into the side in place of Veliche Shumulikoski. Liam Trotter is likely to return after Magilton apologised to him for leaving him out of the Wolves game, perhaps in his preferred central midfield role.
Danny Haynes was publicly criticised by his manager after Saturday's game and may drop to the bench, while David Norris could be amongst the eight substitutes as he continues his recovery from the heel injury he suffered in pre-season. Alan Quinn and Jaime Peters will also be looking to be involved at some stage.
Up front, Pablo Couñago impressed after coming off the bench on Saturday, while Kevin Lisbie will hope to play against his former club. Jordan Rhodes will probably be used from the bench.
Magilton says he is relishing taking on neighbour George Williams's side: "It is a Carling Cup clash, a local derby under the lights, so I'm really looking forward to the game. George will relish it too. They will bring a few fans so it should be a good game.
"I will use the squad as best I can, but it is a chance for a cup run. If you manage to get through this round then you can get one of the big boys.â€Â
The Town boss says Williams is building a decent team as he looks to take the U's back into the Championship: "I saw them in a friendly at Norwich and he has the basis of a very good side. It is early days and the players are still getting used to the whole helter-skelter of a new season. They have a new goalscorer and they will be fine.â€Â
Williams says the game is important to his club's supporters: "This local derby means so much to the fans. We're level in league matches after those two seasons in the Championship. We both won our two home matches, and I believe we even scored the same number of goals.
"We are confident of giving anyone a good game, as we showed when drawing 2-2 at Norwich in pre-season. It's good to have these two local derbies so quickly after our relegation.
"It's a shame that we were not drawn at home, because I'm sure the visit of Ipswich would have packed out the Community Stadium. But we are at Portman Road, and Ipswich will be tough to beat there.â€Â
Colchester may be without new striker Steven Gillespie and midfielder Kem Izzet due to thigh problems, while David Perkins could make his debut for the U's following a summer switch from Rochdale.
The sides last met in the League Cup in the 1969/70 season, also at the second round stage at Portman Road, the only cup clash between the two clubs. The Blues won 4-0 via goals from Frank Brogan (2), Tommy Carroll and Mick Mills.
Last season in the Championship, Town won 3-1 at Portman Road with Jon Walters, Liam Trotter and Danny Haynes netting for the Blues after Clive Platt had opened the scoring for the U's.
Despite their season ending in relegation, Geraint Williams's men defeated Town 2-0 at Layer Road in April with Scott Vernon netting twice.
Overall, the Blues have beaten the U's nine times, have managed four draws with Colchester victorious on four occasions.
Unusually, there are no former Blues in the Colchester first team squad at present, although manager Geraint Williams and PR and communications officer David Gregory were both players at Town.
Blues striker Kevin Lisbie moved to Portman Road from the Weston Homes Community Stadium over the summer, while Billy Clarke, currently on loan at Darlington, had a loan spell with the U's a couple of seasons ago.
Issue 93 of TWTD is now almost sold out and won't be on sale at tonight's game. However, you can still get your copy by post here, either via a six-issue subscription or by buying a single copy.
Star of 1992 - and of one of TWTD's most famous early covers - Chris Kiwomya is interviewed, while Roger Hermiston talks to Jim Magilton about his surprising basketball influence and Gavin Barber assesses the summer transfer speculation.
Likely Town squad: Supple, R Wright, D Wright, Casement, Thatcher, Balkestein, McAuley, Naylor, Smith, Garvan, Miller, Shumulikoski, Trotter, Walters, Quinn, Haynes, Peters, Norris, Couñago, Lisbie, Lee, Rhodes, Bowditch.