Latics travel to face Colchester tomorrow looking to maintain their 100% start to the new campaign.

John Sheridan's men have seen off Millwall (4-3), Leeds (2-0) and Cheltenham (4-0) so far to record a maximum haul of nine points.

However, they exited the Carling Cup courtesy of a 3-0 defeat against Championship side Burnley in midweek.

But the Latics chief will be hoping the defeat is only a blip as he looks to overcome a side who were plying their trade in the Championship last season.

Geraint Williams' Colchester side dropped following a disappointing campaign at the higher level, but they have been backed by the bookies to launch a challenge to bounce straight back.

They have racked up a tally of one win, one draw and one defeat from their opening three games, with their first three points coming courtesy of a 3-1 win at Swindon Town last weekend.

Midweek Carling Cup action brought a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich, with Steven Gillespie scoring his first goal for the club.  However, an injury picked up in that game means the newly-acquired striker will miss out on Saturday.

Colchester have plenty of talent in their squad and have splashed out the big money to acquire further assets in the summer - including six-figure fees for Gillespie, Rochdale's David Perkins and Matt Lockwood from Nottingham Forest.

Sheridan has admitted he may be bringing several senior players back in to the squad after resting five of his squad in midweek.

That means Sean Gregan, Mark Crossley and Andy Liddell could all come back in after spending the Carling Cup tie on the bench.

Meanwhile Lewis Alessandra and Lee Hughes may be reunited up front after both appearing as substitutes at Burnley.

Craig Davies also returns to bolster the forward line after completing a three-match ban for his sending-off at Rochdale.

The versatile Kieran Lee is also included in the squad after making his Athletic debut in midweek.

Gillespie (hamstring) will miss out for Colchester, but John White, Matt Lockwood and Pat Baldwin should return.

Latics (from): Crossley, Eardley, Maher, Stam, Whitaker, Allott, Hughes, Davies, O'Grady, Lomax, Fleming, Hazell, Gregan, Taylor, Lee, Stephens, Liddell, Smalley, Alessandra.