COLCHESTER United boss John Ward has warned his team against dreaming of a plum third round tie, in the build up to this Saturday’s FA Cup second round contest against visiting Swindon Town.

COLCHESTER United boss John Ward has warned his team against dreaming of a plum third round tie, in the build up to this Saturday’s FA Cup second round contest against visiting Swindon Town.

The Robins are a League Two outfit, but a dangerous one. Paolo Di Canio’s side are bang in form and in the play-off zone, enjoying a current unbeaten run stretching back to 11 games.

Speaking at this morning’s press conference, Ward said: ““It’s always exciting, particularly the second round of the Cup, because you allow yourself to think of the next round, the third round, when all the big boys come in.

“But you have got to be careful of doing that, because you can end up dreaming of things that might not happen.

“It’s a home game, and there is the third round draw on Sunday. Me and my players would be like to be in that draw, but we’ve got a difficult match to come through first,” added Ward.

The U’s will welcome back striker Steven Gillespie after a five-week absence with a sore hamstring. Gillespie will probably start on the bench.

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole has returned to training after an operation on his groin, although Saturday’s game will come too soon for the ex-Watford man.