Colchester v Shrewsbury preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Colchester and Shrewsbury at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The U's will again be without David Wright and Josh Thompson as they go in search of the points required to confirm League One safety. Midfielder Wright is recovering well after being knocked unconscious in the 3-1 defeat at Notts County last weekend, although he will again miss out this weekend having watched Tuesday's 2-0 home defeat to MK Dons from the stands. Centre-back Thompson missed both of those games with the hamstring injury which forced him off in the loss against Leyton Orient earlier this month and he also sits out. Fellow defender Tom Eastman could force his way back into contention for a place in Joe Dunne's matchday 18 having played his part in two Under-21 matches after recovering from an ankle injury. Dunne has no new injury or suspension problems as the Essex club chase the victory which would secure their league status for another season, although the they will also have done enough if fourth-bottom Scunthorpe fail to beat play-off outsiders Dons. The visitors will be without Tom Eaves as they travel to Colchester with their league safety all but mathematically secured. Fourth-bottom Scunthorpe's 2-1 defeat at Bury on Tuesday night leaves 18th-placed Town six points clear of the drop zone with two matches of the season remaining, while they also boast a far superior goal difference. Graham Turner's side will look to complete the job at the Weston Homes Community Stadium against a U's side who, sitting one place above the bottom four and five points clear themselves, still have a bit of work to do. Striker Eaves, who registered six goals in 10 loan appearances for the Shrews, was this week recalled by parent club Bolton and so will not be available. Defender Jermaine Grandison endured a nightmare return to action last weekend after three months on the sidelines with a hip injury - scoring an own goal in Bournemouth's 3-0 triumph before before forced off with a recurrence of the problem which will keep him out of action at Colchester. Mark Wright (hip), Darren Jones (dislocated shoulder) and Rob Edwards (thigh) all remain unavailable, but full-back Cameron Gayle comes back into contention after a month out of action with a hamstring problem.