Colchester United will be looking to kick start their Papa John's Trophy campaign on Tuesday evening with the visit of West Ham United.
The U's will be hoping they can build on a solid away performance at Swindon Town on Saturday and breathe life into their Papa John's Trophy campaign that got off to a false start in the first game.
Hayden Mullins' side lost 1-0 at home to a late Gillingham goal in the opening game, in a game that the U's were dominant in for large periods. But without that killer blow, the U's were unable to take full advantage with Gillingham providing a late sting when Robbie McKenzie fired home.
Mullins will be back in the dugout for the game at the JobServe Community Stadium after completing his isolation period due to COVID, where he will have some decisions to make in his team selection.
Brendan Wiredu left the field on Saturday afternoon with a knock, while Ryan Clampin and Miles Welch-Hayes will be hoping to make their return from respective injuries against the Premier League youngsters.
The Opposition
West Ham United's U21 side have had a confidence-boosting set of results in their Premier League 2 campaign at the start of the 2021/22 season. Currently sitting in fifth in a league comprised of fourteen teams, the Hammers are doing well after six games.
Dmitri Halajko's oversaw a 6-1 win to start the season against Arsenal, before a 4-2 defeat to Brighton the following week. Defeats against Wolves and Derby have been balanced out by victories over Chelsea and more recently, Crystal Palace.
Armstrong Okoflex leads the way in the scoring charts for West Ham with four so far for the season. His latest goal came in the Papa John's Trophy against Ipswich Town in the other opening game of Group A. His last minute penalty earned Halajko's side an opening three points at Portman Road.
Topping Group A, West Ham would qualify for the next round with a win, whereas a Colchester United win would open the group up going into the final round of games in early November.
Last Time We Met
The U's met West Ham U21 in last year's tournament, with the visitors coming out on top in an entertaining affair. The game was decided by a Conor Coventry strike from thirty yards out, with the U's eliminated from the tournament by the Hammers.
iFollow
Stream the game on iFollow with a £10 match pass. Click HERE to get yours and watch the match in full with commentary from the BBC Essex Radio team.
Tickets
Match Tickets remain on sale from Col U Tickets. Click HERE to get yours and watch the U's in action at the JobServe Community Stadium.
You can also purchase a parking ticket to park at the JobServe Community Stadium from Col U tickets. Click HERE to find out how.