Colchester United are still lumbered with the worst defensive record in the Football League, and their defensive frailties will again be put under the spotlight at Millwall this Saturday.

The Lions, relegated from the Championship last season, have put a slow start to the campaign behind them and are currently unbeaten in their last eight games.

More to the point, Neil Harris’ men have plundered eight goals in their last two outings, albeit against lower league opposition in League Two hosts Plymouth (5-3 win in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy) and against AFC Fylde (3-1 victory in the FA Cup). They are also up to ninth in the table, just two points off the play-offs.

Ironically, Millwall are yet to play a league game this month, and this weekend will be the first league match without their key centre-half, Tony Craig.

Club stalwart Craig, who is currently in his fourth spell at the New Den, underwent knee surgery last week and is expected to be out for the rest of the season.

Craig, 30, suffered the injury during the goalless draw with Bradford City at the end of last month, Milwall’s last league outing.

The U’s have so far conceded 37 goals in 17 league fixtures, easily the worst defensive record from the 92 Premier and Football League clubs. The next poorest is League Two strugglers Stevenage (32), managed by ex-U’s striker Teddy Sheringham.