On paper Wycombe Wanderers against Colchester United should have no place in the lexicon of footballing rivalries. Blues fans will tell you otherwise though.

Buckinghamshire and Essex are hardly a stone’s throw apart, but a hostility fostered during a tooth and nail scrap for promotion from the Conference in 1992 endures.

That season saw Wanderers miss out on a place in the Football league on goal difference alone as both sides finished on 94 points.

Fans have long memories, and Blues boss Gareth Ainsworth is aware of the need to perform in what will be the first meeting between the sides since 2012.

“It is well documented that Wycombe had big battles with Colchester in their non-league days and they have taken that into the league with them,” he said.

“We will be putting the shirts on knowing what it means to a lot of Wycombe fans. We are in the mood to put on a big display and hopefully get some goals for what will be a big derby crowd.”

While Ainsworth is well versed in the rivalry, some of Wycombe’s playing staff admit to needing reminders from fans about the importance of tomorrow’s match.

“The fans won’t let us forget about the rivalry and it is a big one. It took me a while to grasp its importance,” said Marcus Bean.

“If it means that much to the fans, we are going to go out there and do as much as we can to give them the bragging rights.”

After a 2015/16 campaign which ended in relegation, Colchester have acclimatised well to life in League Two.

They currently sit fifth in the table, having taken seven points from four games, but suffered their first defeat of the season to Portsmouth last time out.

Ainsworth is not surprised with Colchester’s current league standing and believes their history of playing at a higher level makes them a challenging prospect.

“They are a good side. These sides who have been out of League Two for a few years have good resources to work with,” he said.

“I remember playing against Colchester in the Championship with QPR so they are definitely no mugs.

“We will have to approach this match the same way we approach any other. The League starts to take shape after six or seven games and you want to stay with people rather than be chasing.”

There is positive news on the injury front for Wanderers after Danny Rowe shook off a foot injury picked up in the 0-0 draw with Blackpool on Saturday.

Paul Hayes made a cameo appearance at Bloomfield Road and is in contention to start at Adams Park.

Luke O’Nien, Paris Cowan-Hall and Myles Weston are also nearing a return but are likely to miss United’s visit.