Injury-Plagued Shrimpers in Reserve Team action

Marek Szmid, seen here in action at Leyton Orient last night, could feature after being replaced at half time.

With Barrington Belgrave the only fit professional striker in the Club, Southend are certainly posed with a problem up front as they travel to Hertfordshire to take on Barnet in this latest Avon Insurance Combination fixture.

Ben Smith, who has been filling in as a makeshift centre forward in recent weeks is also doubftul, having picked up a thigh strain in mid-week training. With such a selection problem it seems likely that the Shrimpers will field two prodominately midfield players in a striking role with Scott Forbes and Matt Hearn, still on work experience from Colchester United, likely to be United's frontman. 15-year old Steven Bourne is also likely to be named on the bench.

Trialist Lewis Blois has returned to Norwich City.

Midfielder's Marek Szmid and Stuart Thurgood who both started at Leyton Orient last night but were replaced at half time, are likely to be involved in the action on the Underhill slope. Southend's United should also include Steven Clark who played 45 minutes at Brisbane Road having returned from a knee injury.

Following last Wednesday's dull goalless draw against Northampton Town at Sixfield's, Reserve Team boss Steve Tilson will be hoping for a positive result against the Non-League side.

As ever a full report and action photo's will be available later this afternoon exclusively on www.thelittlegazette.com

Scott Forbes is likely to play as a striker at Underhill.

SOUTHEND UNITED (From):- Daniel Gay, David McSweeney, Mark Beard, Danny Kerrigan, Rob Newman, Daniel Lunan, Leon Johnson, Stuart Thurgood, Marek Szmid, Steven Clark, Anthony Clark, Flory Zinga, Sean Coburn, Ben Smith, Scott Forbes, Matt Hearn, Daryl Plummer, Steven Bourne.


Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com