ANDY GURNEY will be out in the cold for Colchester's visit to the County Ground on Saturday and the skipper knows his collection of cautions could potentially damage his hopes of leading Town to play-off glory.

Ten bookings means the 28-year-old will miss two matches, starting with the U's clash.

If that wasn't bad enough, he knows that another five yellow cards would see him banned for three matches later in the campaign.

Gurney said: "Some of the bookings have been deserved, some of them haven't.

"Maybe I have developed something of a reputation, I don't know.

"I do get agitated in some matches but what I do know is that at my age I'm not going to change the way I play.

"I want to avoid picking up 15 bookings though as that would mean missing even more matches."

Such a tally would trigger a three-match ban while 20 bookings would mean four matches out and an 'invitation' to appear before an FA disciplinary panel.

With greater strength in depth though, the captain feels his troops are well equipped to manage without him for two matches.

He said: "From my point of view it's frustrating to be out because we've just started to get another little run going.

"I'll be fully behind the lads in the next two games, matches where we have to look at picking up six points.

"Beating Colchester would certainly help to open up a bit of a gap on them.

"We have a decent squad here and if someone comes in and does well during my absence then it leaves the gaffer with a decision to make.

"It's no good moaning about these things. You just have to get on with it."

Gurney will be joined in the stand on Saturday by Rory Fallon, with the striker completing the second game of a three-match ban.

Other Town players walking the disciplinary tightrope are central defender Alan Reeves and wing-back David Duke.

Both have four yellow cards apiece and a further caution would

trigger a one-match ban.

Town's unhappy disciplinary record recently led Andy King and assistant Malcolm Crosby to introduce 'punishments' for offenders guilty of avoidable cautions.

Meanwhile, midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi remains a real doubt for Saturday's match with Colchester. The New Yorker has yet to shake off a groin injury.

Town's reserves were resuming their Pontins Holidays Combination campaign today.

Alan Reeves' side made the short trip to face Cheltenham at their Whaddon Road ground (2pm).