Colchester United take on Oldham Athletic in League Two
Colchester United travel north this afternoon to face newly-promoted Oldham Athletic in League Two, with the potential boost of having playmaker Jack Payne back in the squad.
Payne, 30, has yet to feature for the U’s this season after missing the entirety of pre-season with an injury. The experienced midfielder has been a notable absentee in Ben Garner’s side during their opening fixtures, but his return to training this week has raised hopes that he could play some part at Boundary Park.
Garner confirmed that Payne has been working hard to regain full fitness and could be included in the matchday squad, though the decision will depend on his sharpness and ability to cope with the tempo of competitive football after a lengthy lay-off.
“Jack’s trained well in the past few days,” said Garner. “He’s an important player for us in terms of creativity and game intelligence. We’ll assess him before the game, but it’s a big positive to have him back in the fold.”
Colchester head into the fixture aiming to build on a mixed start to the campaign. They have shown flashes of quality in attack but will be keen to tighten up defensively after conceding in each of their opening matches. Garner has stressed the importance of consistency, particularly against an Oldham side buoyed by their return to the Football League.
Oldham, managed by Micky Mellon, have started life back in League Two with a sense of momentum after promotion from the National League. The Latics have made several summer signings to strengthen their squad, including striker Joe Quigley and defender Jamie Robson, both of whom could feature today. Mellon’s side will be eager to make Boundary Park a difficult place for visitors, especially in front of a home crowd excited to see their club competing in the league again.
For Colchester, the trip represents a test of resilience. Away fixtures have been a challenge in recent seasons, and Garner has urged his players to be brave in possession while remaining disciplined without the ball. The inclusion of Payne, even from the bench, could provide the spark needed to unlock a well-organised Oldham defence.
“Oldham will have the backing of their supporters and will look to come at us early,” Garner added. “We have to manage those periods, stay composed, and impose our own style on the game. Having players like Jack available gives us more options in how we approach things.”
Supporters will be watching closely to see how Payne adapts on his return, should he be called upon. His vision, passing range, and ability to operate between the lines were key components of Colchester’s play last season, and Garner will be hoping that he can quickly rediscover that influence.
With both sides eager to pick up points and build early-season momentum, today’s clash promises to be a competitive affair. For Colchester, the focus will be on marrying defensive solidity with attacking intent — and if Payne is ready, his reintroduction could be a timely boost in their quest for a positive result.
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