WHAT would you get if you combined Colchester United's attack, with Leicester City's defence?Answer: promotion candidates.The U's and the Foxes are both in the bottom three, and Geraint Williams' men are already officially relegated.

Carl Marston

WHAT would you get if you combined Colchester United's attack, with Leicester City's defence?

Answer: promotion candidates.

The U's and the Foxes are both in the bottom three, and Geraint Williams' men are already officially relegated. But that only tells half the tale.

Only QPR, outside the top 10, have scored more goals than Colchester this season, while Leicester City have the joint second best defensive record in the division.

It's therefore been going wrong, at opposite ends of the pitch, for two of the Championship's strugglers. They meet at the Walkers Stadium this afternoon, with Leicester aiming to escape the relegation zone, and the U's eager to clamber off bottom spot.

“Leicester have spent millions on strikers, but they have struggled to score goals,” explained U's boss Williams.

These strikers include DJ Campbell (£2.1m from Birmingham), Steve Howard (£1.25m from Derby), Iain Hume (£500,000 from Tranmere), Matty Fryatt (£350,000 from Walsall) and Barry Hayles (undisclosed free from Plymouth).

Williams continued: “All clubs have different problems. Some have a problem with scoring goals, but our problem has been conceding too many.

“A strong defensive base is always important. That gets you the 1-0s, while others go all out attack and try to win 4-3. I suppose the best of both will bring the 4-0 results.

“We don't owe any team anything, just ourselves and our fans. We don't want to finish bottom, and we want to finish with four good performances and four wins,” insisted Williams.

The U's boss could well name an unchanged side this afternoon, following the 2-0 home win over Ipswich Town, which was probably the highlight of the season.

Clive Platt returns after a back injury, but his replacement Scott Vernon scored both goals against Town, and must surely retain his place.

Leicester boss, Ian Holloway, remains confident that his team will still be playing in the Championship next season.

“As far as I'm concerned, it's still in our hands. We've got Colchester and Sheffield Wednesday at home, and Barnsley and Stoke away. We need two wins from these games, and I think 53 points will keep us up.

“We've got a 50% failure rate and we can still do it. I don't call that crucial yet. I believe we'll get these two wins.

“All I'm asking is for everyone to bring their voices with them, and let's make sure Colchester are scared stiff.”

Leading scorer Hume (eight goals) returns to the squad after an ankle injury, while influential midfielder Lee Hendrie is available again after having to sit out last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United - Hendrie is on loan from the Blades.

Defender Patrick Kisnorbo was sent off for a professional foul on striker Billy Sharp at Bramall Lane, although City's appeal against the Australian's red card was upheld on Tuesday. Kisnorbo will therefore play against Colchester.