BACK in August, you could have negotiated long odds on Colchester United finishing above Norwich City in the Championship table.But the U's can take a giant step towards achieving that feat this afternoon, by recording a 13th home win of the season at the expense of the visiting Canaries.

By Carl Marston

BACK in August, you could have negotiated long odds on Colchester United finishing above Norwich City in the Championship table.

But the U's can take a giant step towards achieving that feat this afternoon, by recording a 13th home win of the season at the expense of the visiting Canaries.

It should be a cracking East Anglian derby, played in front of a full house - all tickets had been snapped up by Thursday.

Only once before, in the 1956-57 campaign, have Colchester finished above Norwich in the Football League pyramid. It was the season that the Norfolk club finished rock bottom of Division Three South.

The U's are currently six points above the Canaries, but have played a game more. Visiting manager Peter Grant is certainly expecting a stern test.

Grant said: “Colchester have been terrific this season. They've been excellent and exceeded all expectations. They are a team that's been together for a long time now, and have gained the experience of playing together, which I think is important.”

It will be a special occasion for U's leading scorer Jamie Cureton, who began his career at Norwich in the mid-1990s. The 31-year-old scored on his first return to Carrow Road in a 1-1 draw six months ago.

U's skipper Karl Duguid is set to figure after a knee injury, which caused him to miss the 2-1 victory at Southampton, although left-winger Kevin Mcleod is unlikely to be risked following a hernia operation.

City will give a fitness test to skipper Adam Drury, who is struggling with an ankle injury.