Lewis Kinsella is expected to feature for Colchester United under-23s in their Premier League Cup clash with Manchester City tomorrow lunchtime.

Kinsella has missed the last four months of the season due to an ankle injury but has now returned to training and is set to play in the Group C match.

Meanwhile, Colchester's academy players will relish the opportunity to take on City’s youngsters, according to U’s under-23 assistant manager Kevin Horlock.

Wayne Brown’s side travel to the City Football Academy in Manchester for the fixture (1pm kick-off) looking to strengthen their grip at the top of the group, having been in fine form in the competition this season with seven points from their first three games.

Colchester’s under-23 have already beaten Manchester City once in the Premier League Cup this season, with goals from Matt Briggs and Dexter Peter giving them a 2-1 victory over the Sky Blues at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, last month.

The U’s youngsters have also beaten Hull City in the competition, along with playing out a draw with Derby County.

And Horlock, who played nearly 250 league and cup games for Manchester City between 1997 and 2003, says this weekend’s game is one to look forward to for the under-23 side.

Horlock said: “It’s a game that I imagine the lads have been looking at.

“They’ve been really good in the Premier League Cup competition and to come out of that group with the teams that are in there shows just how good a squad we’ve got.

“It’s exciting times and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.”

A trio of young players have recently departed Colchester’s academy, with Michael O’Donoghue, Jack Curtis and Chris Regis all released.

U’s head coach John McGreal has said that it will give a chance for the likes of Cameron James and Diaz Wright to push on and aim to break into the first-team squad and Horlock says the opportunities are there for Colchester’s young players.

“We have a group that’s keen to listen and learn and kick on,” said Horlock.

“There’s a few in there that have got a real chance.

“It’s about taking the opportunities when they come along, learning and playing better in general.

“There’s a lot of good players in the group so we’ll keep working with them and hopefully get them to that next stage and working with John (McGreal).”