Stuart Beavon a doubt for Burton

Beavon played through the pain barrier for 70 minutes of the 1-0 win against Wigan in midweek with a hip problem and the striker may be taken out of the firing line on Saturday, with Timmy Thiele, his replacement at the DW Stadium, possibly coming into the starting line-up.

On-loan left-back Jerome Binnom-Williams missed that game with a sore knee, but should be fit for the weekend.

However, fellow defenders Shane Cansdell-Sherriff (groin) and Damien McCrory (hip flexor) remain on the sidelines.

Colchester, 19th in the table, sacked manager Tony Humes on Thursday following a run of just one win from their last nine league matches.

Assistant boss Richard Hall and under-21 coach John McGreal will take charge at the Pirelli Stadium.

Midfielder Owen Garvan (hip) could be back in contention, having missed out against Crewe in midweek when the U's threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to the division's bottom club and were booed off by a section of their own fans.

Veteran Darren Ambrose was on the bench after his return from a toe injury, so could be in contention, along with full-back Richard Brindley, who has been stepping up his recovery from a knee injury.