Craig Eastmond is in line for a Colchester United recall for their home clash with Port Vale tomorrow.

The former Arsenal midfielder is set for his first U’s league start for more than a month in place of Alex Gilbey, who is banned.

Gilbey is serving a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season at Swindon Town, last weekend.

Eastmond completed 90 minutes for Colchester in their Essex Senior Cup third-round penalty shoot-out defeat at Concord Rangers, on Tuesday night.

He is in pole position to replace Gilbey, although Sanchez Watt and Sammie Szmodics are also in contention.

U’s boss Tony Humes said: “They’ll be an enforced change to the team somewhere along the line.

“There’s different possibilities for us.

“Craig Eastmond played 90 minutes against Concord Rangers in the Essex Senior Cup and has a good game under his belt.

“Sanchez Watt will come back into the equation following the changes we made last week and Sammie Szmodics is around, too.

“There’s a lot of possibilities for us in terms of formation and personnel and that’s the pleasing thing.”

Frankie Kent is likely to be among the substitutes after missing the U’s 2-2 draw at Swindon Town, last weekend.

But skipper Magnus Okuonghae is set to continue alongside Tom Eastman, at the heart of the Colchester defence.

“Frankie has trained all week and he’ll be back in the squad,” said Humes.

“But Magnus played well last week and that speaks for itself.”

Meanwhile, Humes has praised the contribution of midfielder David Fox since his return to the U’s earlier this month.

Colchester are unbeaten in the four games Fox has played since arriving on a three-month deal.

Humes added: “David’s a good footballer - that’s the reason that we brought him back in.

“We know he fits the way we want to play and he gives that extra level of experience to a lot of young players.”

Winger Drey Wright (knee) and midfielder David Wright (thigh) remain sidelined for the U’s.

For a three-page preview of the U's game against Port Vale, see Friday's Daily Gazette.