Saturday's opponents Colchester United are wasting no time in progressing their January transfer window business during the early part of the month. Manager Aidy Boothroyd's arrival in Essex was too late for him to make any changes to their squad, and so January has provided his first opportunity to make changes.
Two names that are already at the club have turned their loan deals into permanent moves, with striker Kayode Odejayi a familiar figure to Glovers fans from his days with Forest Green Rovers. He arrives from Barnsley, whilst midfielder John-Joe O'Toole has signed from watford - Boothroyd's former club.
Striker Ian Henderson is set to be Boothroyd's third signing of the week. He is waiting on international clearance, having recently been on the books of Turkish side Ankaragucu. He is a former Norwich City, Rotherham United, Northampton Town and Luton Town player, who can also dip into midfield.
They are also trialling experienced defender Nolberto Solano, after he left Peruvian Champions Universitario to earn a contract in Essex. The 35 year old who has played for Newcastle United, Aston Villa and West Ham United is wanting to establish a coaching career in England. There is a bit of confusion over whether Solano has actually signed yet, with various websites claiming the deal to be already done, although the U's official site declines to comment as yet. Again international clearance would be needed.
Boothroyd's current influx of players is likely to mean others get shown the door, with Pat Baldwin - on loan at Bristol Rovers, David Perkins - on loan at Chesterfield (but being linked with Southend United, plus Jamie Guy, Matt Lockwood and Alan Maybury being openly named by Boothroyd as players not likely to last the month of January.
The game itself at Huish Park may not last either. Sub-zero temperatures are expected to hit the country, both day-time and night-time, from Tuesday night onwards, and the weather forecast doesn't look too pretty. Expect the words 'pitch inspection' and 'frozen pitch' to be uttered up and down the country this week, with Carlisle United already thinking ahead and proposing a Thursday morning pitch inspection to stop their opponents Millwall needing to travel, based on the Cumbrian long range weather forecast. With five days before kick-off, Carlisle are already admitting the game is a significant doubt.
Colchester will probably want the match to go ahead - if only so they can get Saturday's 7-0 defeat against Preston North End in the FA Cup out of their systems. After thumping Norwich City 7-1 on the opening day of the season, the U's got a taste of their own medicine in their opening match of 2010.
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4 January 2010 : 
