Darlington vs Southend United - The Little Gazette preview

Blues squad: Darryl Flahavan, Daniel Gay, Stephen Broad, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle, Danny Kerrigan, Leon Cort, Phil Whelan, Rob Newman, Steven Clark, Leon Johnson, Stuart Thurgood, Kevin Maher, Carl Hutchings, Scott Forbes, Barrington Belgrave, Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle and Tony Richards.

The big question is will Rob Newman pick himself and play a five man defence?. Newman played ninety minutes for the reserves on Monday in the 3-2 win at Peterborough United but was far from impressive, if the Player/manager picks himself Stuart Thurgood could be the man to miss out. Thurgood was substituted last Saturday after an hour against Mansfield Town and refused to shake Scott Forbes hand has he came off. Steven Clark who’s loan period from West Ham United expires after

Kevin Maher - will miss Tuesday's match with Hull City

Upfront it is expected that Barrington Belgrave will partner ten goal leading goal scorer Tes Bramble unless Newman plays Bramble as a lone striker in a defensive 5-4-1 formation with Thurgood retaining his starting place in the middle of the park. It is thought most unlikely that Southend will start in an attacking 4-4-2 with Scott Forbes and Steven Clark both starting. Mark Rawle and Tony Richards both disappointed for the reserves on Monday and a place on the bench is the best they can hope for.

Craig Liddle could return from injury when Darlo get back to league action against Southend tomorrow, after featuring for the reserves midweek.
Liddle broke his leg in The Quakers' game against Hull City in late October, and it was feared that he would be out of action until March.
But, his recovery has been swift and, after coming through a reserve game at Blackpool unscathed in midweek, Tommy Taylor is prepared to take a gamble on his fitness.
"I'm going to speak to Craig today," said Taylor.
"He did well the other day, so we'll ask him whether he feels fit enough to play on Saturday. We're hoping that he'll be in the squad at least."
Taylor's biggest dilemma is how to overcome the problems posed by a schedule of three games in five days. After the Southend game, Darlo will spend three days on the road. They are at Peterborough on Monday night in their FA Cup third-round replay, and two nights later, they are due at Cheltenham's Whaddon Road for a league game.
Brian Atkinson is likely to miss tomorrow's game because of a knee injury, but Adam Reed could be added to the squad as defensive cover, as could Mark Kilty in the midfield.
There is some other good news on the injury front. Skipper Paul Heckingbottom was causing some worry with a foot injury, but that has been diagnosed as cramp, and he should be fit.
Richard Hodgson has an ankle injury, however, and Neil Maddison is struggling with his hamstring, so Paul Campbell may be given a starting place.
Taylor, meanwhile, is looking for three points to keep The Quakers' play-off hopes alive.
They go into the game 12 points off the play-off zone, and can ill afford to slip any further behind their current 17th position.
"I've told our players to look at Bolton's performance against Barnsley the other night.
"Bolton showed how effective playing the ball behind the opposing defence can be.
"I've told the players not to be too embarrassed to play the ball like that, instead of playing the ball square. We have played too much tippy-tappy football recently, and given the ball away far too cheaply in some areas. It is back to basics for some players."
Nevertheless, the next few days are going to be hard on The Quakers.
"It is a big test of character for some players. Obviously, I am going to rotate the squad for the matches coming up."
But Taylor knows the importance of the next three days. In the eyes of the fans, failure to beat Southend, followed by a defeat at Peterborough, could mean that Darlington's season is as good as over.

Squad: Collett, Finch, Heckingbottom, Clark, Betts, Brightwell, Smith, Liddle, Reed, McGurk, Brumwell, Kilty, Campbell, Ford, Convery, Wainwright, Sheeran, Mellanby, Conlon.
Picture: Liddle is expecting to return to action tomorrow