The Lion cubs of Millwall beat the Shrimpers under-18 side three times last term, and they open the new youth team season Saturday, but boss Ricky Duncan is still confident about the year ahead.

Shrimpers youth manager manager Ricky Duncan remains confident that another successful season lies ahead in the Youth Alliance League, and is hoping the present squad will produce players who will eventually turn out for the senior side.

Duncan told www.southendunited.co.uk: "We've assembled a good side and we're expecting a lot from them this season. The new scholars have been in our centre of excellence for some time now so we know how talented they are and they have fitted in well to what we are trying to achieve."

Franck Moussa, Johnny Herd, Stuart O'Keefe and Harry Crawford have all played League football, and Ricky has his eye on one or two names for this season.

Ricky continued: "Merrick (James-Lewis) has pushed on to be involved with the first team and it looks like he will be getting a professional deal which is great. Harry has stayed involved too and there are others who we feel we can join them. Kane Ferdinand has been unbelievable in pre-season and looks as though he is stepping away from youth football. I've told the manager about him and he's looking very strong indeed."

However, the season opener Saturday morning at Boots and Laces couldn't have been tougher; Millwall, who last term beat the young Shrimpers in both League games and then the first round of the FA Youth Cup for good measure, are the visitors.

The Blues under-18 manager concluded: "Millwall are always one of the best sides in the league. It will be a very hard test but it will be a good gauge of where we're at at this moment in time."