COLCHESTER United could come up against one of their recent former academy players, this afternoon.

Their opponents Crawley Town boast in their ranks attacker Tarryn Allarakhia, who parted company with the U’s in the summer after spending a year at the club.

Allarakhia was snapped up by Colchester on a one-year development contract from Maldon and Tiptree, where he had produced some impressive form having also played for the likes of Aveley.

But he failed to make a competitive first-team appearance during his brief time, at the JobServe Community Stadium and joined Crawley on a two-year deal, last August.

Allarakhia started Crawley’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat at the hands of Portsmouth in midweek and has made five appearances for the Reds so far, this season.

Colchester boss John McGreal said: “We didn’t see much of Tarryn at first-team level – it was more the under-23s.

“It was more a decision taken at that level.

“He’s gone to Crawley and he came on last week at Cambridge.

“He looks as though he’s been doing well and he’s forging a good career for himself down at Crawley, so we wish him all the best.”

McGreal is expecting a tough game against Crawley, who lie just a place below Colchester in the table on goal difference heading into this weekend’s clash.

“Crawley will be tough opposition,” said McGreal.

“They’re on similar points to us and they’ve picked up of late and got some good results.

“They won away at Lincoln, so we know that it’s going to be a tough game.

“Harry (Kewell) had a good philosophy in terms of what they were trying to do and they haven’t changed, as such.

“They changed personnel in the summer and lost a couple of big players but they’ve brought in experienced players who have done particularly well.”

McGreal is hoping that striker Luke Norris can hit the goal trail on home turf, this afternoon.

The U’s leading scorer has been in impressive scoring form so far this season with seven goals but only of those strikes has come at the Community Stadium.

McGreal added: “Luke’s on seven goals for us and scored five for us, last month.

“We’d like to see a few more home goals – he’s only scored one at home so he’s got his goals away from home which is good.

“He’s getting the shots away which is excellent because it shows that he’s not afraid to shoot, so he’s getting opportunities to score.

“We’re hoping that he can continue that.”