THERE was a strong case for showing repeats of Colchester United's last Sky TV appearance on a specialist horror movies channel.The U's were put to the sword by Derby County in a 5-1 mauling at Pride Park, just a fortnight ago, but they have a quick chance to restore some pride in front of the Sky TV cameras again at Southampton tonight.

By Carl Marston

THERE was a strong case for showing repeats of Colchester United's last Sky TV appearance on a specialist horror movies channel.

The U's were put to the sword by Derby County in a 5-1 mauling at Pride Park, just a fortnight ago, but they have a quick chance to restore some pride in front of the Sky TV cameras again at Southampton tonight.

Geraint Williams' men revelled under the glare of the cameras last September, thanks to Karl Duguid's early winner in a 1-0 success over visiting Ipswich Town. But that's been the only occasion when the Sky TV bandwagon has rolled into Layer Road this season. They have otherwise restricted themselves to following the U's on the road, at Coventry (2-1 defeat), Derby and now Southampton. The U's visit to Essex neighbours Southend on Good Friday will also be televised live.

“You don't often get a second chance so quickly, and we want to take it,” insisted Williams last night. “We want to show the television audience the real Colchester United of most of this season. We didn't perform at Derby, but we want to put that right against Southampton.”

U's skipper Karl Duguid is likely to miss only his third game of the season, due to a knee injury picked up during the midweek 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

And winger Kevin McLeod is also laid-low by a stomach bug.

Teenager Anthony Wordsworth is therefore added to the squad.