John-Joe O'Toole and Kevin Lisbie return to the Colchester squad for the trip to Oldham.

Midfielder O'Toole missed last weekend's 2-2 draw against Exeter through suspension and striker Lisbie was sidelined by a hip injury but is now back in contention.

Kem Izzet is close to returning from the illness which has kept him out recently and fellow midfielder Anthony Wordsworth has shaken off the head knock which forced him off last week.

But young winger Medy Elito, who came on for Wordsworth against Exeter, lasted just 11 minutes before being sent off and begins a three-match ban.

Winger Ashley Vincent is the only long-term absentee with an ankle injury which will keep him out until the new year.

Oldham boss Dave Penney will be without midfielder Dean Furman through suspension.

Furman picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 1-0 defeat at Gillingham last weekend, meaning he receives an automatic one-match ban.

Striker Pawel Abbott is out of action for the next month at least following his hernia operation in Germany.

Despite Abbott's absence, Penney is not looking to sign another striker on loan to boost a dismal goals tally of 13 in 16 matches this season, the second lowest in the division.

The Latics, who have lost their last three games, have no other fresh injury concerns but Kelvin Lomax, Rob Purdie and Lewis Alessandra are all unlikely to feature.