COLCHESTER United target man Clive Platt is a big doubt for this weekend's East Anglian derby against Ipswich Town.But the ex-MK Dons striker is convinced that regardless of whether or not he shrugs off a back problem, the U's still have the potential to spring a surprise.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United target man Clive Platt is a big doubt for this weekend's East Anglian derby against Ipswich Town.

But the ex-MK Dons striker is convinced that regardless of whether or not he shrugs off a back problem, the U's still have the potential to spring a surprise. Relegation might be a certainty, but the Essex club will not go down without a fight.

Platt trooped off with a back injury during the second-half of Saturday's dramatic 4-3 defeat at West Brom. At the moment, all he can do is rest.

“My back went into spasms, and it's still very sore. I'm just hoping that it clears up in time to play against Ipswich,” insisted Platt.

“I don't know how the injury started. I can't remember a bang. Usually, you get a whack, but this time it just seemed to cease up. It was very painful whenever I tried to jump for the ball, or lean back, so I really had to come off.

“It's not a major problem, but there's not much I can do. I have to leave it alone, take some anti-inflammatory tablets and try to keep it mobile if possible.

“I'll know more later in the week. I guess I'm a doubt for Saturday, depending on what happens over the next day or so,” added Platt.

The U's will be relegated on Saturday, if they suffer a defeat at the hands of play-off chasing Ipswich. They are already 13 points adrift of safety, with just five games remaining.

Platt admits that the U's will almost certainly be playing in League One next season, but that doesn't mean that there is a defeatist attitude sweeping through Layer Road.

“We played so well at West Brom, and we want to do the same against Ipswich. There should be a good atmosphere,” continued Platt.

“After the defeat (5-1) at Norwich, we have been determined to make sure that we don't just turn up and get walked-over. We were unlucky to lose at West Brom, and we still have a lot to play for, not just for ourselves but also for the manager and the fans.

“We did well at Ipswich for 70 minutes. The missed penalty (by Mark Yeates) was a turning point in that game, because we were cruising at 1-0 up. But as has happened so often this season, we then let it slip late on,” added Platt with the reference to last October's 3-1 reverse at Portman Road.

The U's are desperate to end a miserable run that has yielded just two points from a possible 30, with eight defeats and two draws in their last 10 matches.

Platt has only missed a handful of games this season, and has formed a good partnership with free-scoring Kevin Lisbie up front.

But if he fails a fitness test later this week, then Scott Vernon is likely to get the nod to play alongside Lisbie.