With Paul Tisdale ruled out of Thursday's press conference Steve Perryman stepped into the fold to preview the weekend's action and much more.

Steve on the manager's absence: "Paul has been off for a couple of days, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

But he had a virus probably about three or four weeks ago and maybe he hasn't quite got rid of it out of his body.

So it is probably best for him to stay away from the players and probably be back from Friday onwards and in charge for the team on Saturday.

Because Paul's colleagues know their roles it all fits into place.

There are certain days when he leaves training to his lieutenants and they very much know what he wants and carry it out.

And no disrespect to Paul, players actually quite like a different voice at times so he allows them to do what they do and they report back to him on what has gone on.

It is quite interesting and can make for a different week which can be as important as a settled week."

Tisdale is expected to recover in time for Saturday

Steve on Saturday's match: "This game is League One footbal,  away from home against a good team like we faced at Huddersfield so this will be an extra test for us against a good team who know how to score goals.

They are a strong team at a new stadium which is a bit of a fortress.

And it will be a good test of our new found defensive confidence and sometimes you are better if you know that is coming at you and you set yourselves right.

They are forceful when they attack and can we match their attack defensively? But still managed to play our own game going forward?"

Colchester's new ground

Steve on the options between the posts: "We have opinions in goal now and Oscar proved his fitness in the home game on Tuesday (the Reserves drew 1-1 with Salisbury) and there was certainly no problems with his kicking.

He was struggling to kick the ball and kicking these days is a major part of a goalkeeper's game.

If you aren't quite right with your kicking and worried it doesn't do you any good.

I think he is one hundred per cent fit and that is the manager's decision now.

Andy Marriott has been very important recently, as per his voice. I think that has been a major plus.

If a 39-year-old goalkeeper hasn't got a voice or an opinion there is going to be a problem! He certainly has and lets everyone know it.

For a relatively inexperienced group at this level you need as much help as you get and the goalkeeper has the biggest eyes of the whole situation because he is the last man."

Oscar is back to full fitness

Steve on adapting to League One: "We have got some good players who are coming to terms with this league, a number of whom were having to come to terms for other reasons with the Conference having been at better clubs and you have to adapt to new leagues whether coming upwards or downwards.

Again we are adapting to this and I think we are showing ourselves to be very decent and as I said the other day I have enjoyed almost every game.

Apart from Gillingham when we weren't quite at the races and Huddersfield which was hard to take I have really enjoyed

it. It is getting back to what I know as proper football."

KEEP VISITING THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR SATURDAY'S PRE-MATCH PREVIEW