GRAHAM Alexander could be set for his second appearance against Colchester United in as many games after signing a two-year deal with Burnley.

The Scotland defender, who featured for Preston North End against the U's last weekend, is in line to make his debut at Layer Road after last night completing a £200,000 move from Deepdale.

Alexander is likely to start, although the options of naming him at right back or in midfield are being weighed up, with injuries also being taken into consideration.

Michael Duff (abductor muscle), Besart Berisha (knee), Jon Harley (illness), Jay Rodriguez (groin) and Gabor Kiraly (dead leg) all missed the midweek Carling Cup second round win over Oldham Athletic, while Kyle Lafferty served the first of a three-match ban and will also sit out tomorrow's game.

"We were down to a few fit players against Oldham," said manager Steve Cotterill.

"I didn't necessarily play the big guns or the small guns or whatever, that was the squad we had available, and you can tell by the bench we were very light."

"I don't know whether there is too much improvement with the injured players, we'll just have to wait and see.

"We're disappointed at the moment that Kyle's missing but hopefully Jon Harley will be there or thereabouts after his illness, Michael Duff we don't quite know about at the moment.

"Jon trained (on Thursday) so he will be all right to be included at the weekend I would imagine. We just need to see how he is after training.

"He was quite weak, he'd not eaten and was quite poorly really for a couple of days.

"We just need to see how he is.

"We're just a bit thin on the ground at the moment, but we've been used to that so we'll be all right."