‘Locky’ happy to mix it

ONE OF Adam Lockwood’s groin muscles was - in his manager’s words - ‘hanging off’ as the big centre-back gritted his teeth to barge aside Bradford in Athletic’s last outing.

But Lockwood’s name will be one of the first on the team sheet at Colchester tomorrow. Even when not fully fit, the veteran centre back offers leadership at the back. And his physical approach will be very useful against a Colchester forward line that will include the bruising Jabo Ibehre.

Colchester managed a 3-2 win at Stevenage on Saturday, a contest watched by Lee Johnson. The victory was a vital one for Joe Dunne’s side, ending a run of four straight defeats.

Lose to Athletic though, and Colchester are back in trouble. Such a result would also put Johnson’s men all but safe - which is why it is so important for the manager that he has his trusted lieutenant Lockwood (32) on the field.

“Locky will be fine. He knows his body and he is an experienced player and a good trainer who I know and trust,” the manager said.

Captain Korey Smith is another in-form player who will play through the pain of a knee condition, but

elsewhere in the squad — despite acknowledging the clear benefits of a settled line-up which hasn’t altered in the last five fixtures — Johnson says those on the outside are pushing hard to encourage changes.

“Joel Byrom is training again and looks good, Charlie MacDonald is very sharp and James Dayton is back to the form he was in before he got injured,” Johnson said.

“They are putting me under real pressure to start them - a nice pressure from those three, plus another couple in the squad who are knocking on the door saying they’re ready.”