Colchester United are hoping to ease their relegation fears tonight when they host Walsall in a vital League Two match at the JobServe Community Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm).

The U's lie four points above the relegation zone with five games remaining and host a Saddlers side who have pulled away from the relegation zone, following back-to-back wins.

From team news to key men and the referee, all you need to know can be found below.

The manager

U's interim head coach Hayden Mullins: “We know we have to get the job done.

“It’s good that we have two home games now coming up.

“We’re going to go into those games with a real positive mindset and go and attack them.

“We’ve got to make sure that we set up right and we go into the game right.

“We need to attack the game with the right game plan and how we want to attack it.

“We’ve got to be positive with loads of energy and hopefully, change our fortunes in the two games."

Key battle

Colchester United skipper Harry Pell will be hoping to drive his side on to a massive win today.

In midfield, he is likely to come up against Liam Kinsella - son of former U's favourite Mark Kinsella - who is a regular in the Saddlers side and has been a near ever-present for them, this season.

Last meeting

Colchester played out a 1-1 draw with Walsall when the two sides met at the Banks's Stadium, last October.

Callum Harriott's excellent first-half strike was cancelled out by Elijah Adebayo's equaliser in the second half.

Referee

Carl Boyeson, from East Yorkshire, will officiate today's game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

He has refereed 26 games so far this season, showing 92 yellow cards and one red.

He last took charge of a Colchester match last November - the U's 2-1 home win over Leyton Orient.

Team news

Colchester are likely to have a full-strength side to choose from for today's game.

Brendan Wiredu picked up a knock in the 5-2 loss at Oldham last Friday but should be passed fit.

U's interim head coach Hayden Mullins said: “Brendan has trained and has been fine.

“It was just a bit of a precaution taking him off, as he did take a coupe of knocks in that game.

“We got him off to try and look after him, because he puts so much in.

“He puts so much effort and endeavour in and he’s going to be a very good player.

“There are a couple of knocks.

“Kwame (Poku) has got a knock on his hip so he’s one that needs to be assessed.

“But other than that, we’re at full strength."

Probable U's side: Gerken, Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith, Clampin, Lapslie, Pell, Senior, Wiredu, Harriott, Nouble.

Odds

Colchester are viewed by most bookmakers at 7/5 to secure a hugely important win against Walsall. The draw is seen at 11/5, with a Walsall win rated as 9/4 by some bookies.

Games

League Two, today, 12.30pm unless stated: Carlisle United v Port Vale, Exeter City v Southend United, Forest Green Rovers v Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town v Bolton Wanderers, Harrogate Town v Bradford City, Leyton Orient v Barrow, Morecambe v Oldham Athletic, Newport County v Cambridge United, Stevenage v Mansfield Town, Tranmere Rovers v Salford City, Colchester United v Walsall (5.30pm).