Tony Humes marks the one-year anniversary of his appointment as Colchester manager tonight.

And the U’s boss would like nothing more but to celebrate the milestone by seeing his side chalk up their first win of the season.

Colchester travel to play Northampton Town in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round, without a victory in their opening six league and cup matches this season.

And Humes, who took over from Joe Dunne as U’s boss 12 months ago, knows beating the Cobblers at Sixfields could help his side kick-start their campaign.

Humes said: “It’s as important as any other game.

“It’s a game where we have to try and start getting a winning run going and get that winning mentality.

“We’ve shown it to a degree at the back end of the Scunthorpe game but we have to start winning games.”

Competition rules mean Humes must field at least six players who have played in the majority of Colchester’s fixtures so far, this season.

But the U’s boss says he will be making alterations to his side for the trip to Sixfields.

Drey Wright is in line to start tonight, while Sammie Szmodics could also be handed some match time.

“We’re make a few changes, to give players minutes,” said Humes.

“But it’s an opportunity for us to start winning games as is every game - we have to look at it like that.

“It’s a realistic chance for our club to go all the way to Wembley, as it is for a lot of clubs.

“It’s exactly the same for all of the clubs in the competition.”

Colchester will almost certainly be without right-back Richard Brindley, who missed the Scunthorpe game with a knee injury.

Darren Ambrose is also a big doubt after he also missed last weekend’s draw with the Iron, while captain Chris Porter (ankle) is still sidelined.

But midfielder Owen Garvan could be handed a first start for Colchester, after coming on as a second-half substitute in that game.

For three pages of U's coverage, including a full preview of their game at Northampton Town, see Tuesday's Daily Gazette.