Stockport County boss Gary Ablett will again be without strikers Oli Johnson and Nicholas Bignall against Colchester United on Tuesday night.

Johnson is nursing a calf strain and on-loan Reading youngster Bignall is being hampered by a hamstring injury.

Bignall returned to his parent club for a scan at the start of last week which revealed the extent of the problem.

Ablett could at least be boosted by the return of Carl Baker and Liam Bridcutt to the starting line-up.

Talismanic midfielder Baker and on-loan Chelsea youngster Bridcutt have been suffering with illness but are close to a return as County aim to bounce back from five straight league defeats.

Ablett said: "I keep saying the same things week in, week out, but it's up to us to keep the players motivated now."

Colchester defender Marc Tierney is ruled out of the home clash.

Tierney was sent off for collecting two yellow cards - the second for kicking the ball away - in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Oldham and serves a one-match ban.

John White switched flanks to fill in at left-back after the red card and is set to deputise again with Phil Ifil returning on the right.

The Us will also be without young winger Medy Elito, who serves the second game of a three-match ban, while on-loan midfielder Josh Payne has gone back to West Ham.

Kem Izzet will push for a start in midfield having come on as a substitute at Boundary Park following illness.