Leyton Orient vs Southend United - Team News

Barrington Belgrave - Blues only fit rcognised striker

Southend United will again be without the injured Tes Bramble and Mark Rawle for tonight’s game at Leyton Orient. Rawle injured his groin late into the first half of the 2-2 draw with Oxford United at Roots Hall, while Tes Bramble pulled his groin muscle during the 0-0 draw at Carlise United, both players are under constant treatment. Further bad news is that striker Tony Richards suffered a groin strain during the first half of the 0-0 draw against Rochdale at Roots Hall on Saturday and is also ruled out

Good news for the Blues is that Steven Clark has now recovered from his knee ligament injury and is included in tonight’s squad.

Player/Manager Rob Newman has again stressed that he will stick to his policy of naming the side just before the kick-off, he has named a squad of nineteen players.

Blues squad: Darryl Flahavan, Daniel Gay, Stephen Broad, Dave McSweeney, Mark Beard, Damon Searle, Danny Kerrigan, Leon Cort, Phil Whelan, Rob Newman, Leon Johnson, Marek Szmid, Kevin Maher, Brian Barry-Murphy, Ian Selley, Stuart Thurgood, Steven Clark, Scott Forbes and Barrington Belgrave.

Blues are now unbeaten in four matches after Saturday’s result but have only won once in the last ten matches, the 2-1 win over struggling Bristol Rovers at Roots Hall.

Rob Newman is expected to stick with the fans favoured 4-4-2 formation.

Irish born left-sided midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy on loan from Preston North End will take Mark Rawle’s place on the left flank with the other loan signing, Ian Selley from Wimbledon partnering Kevin Maher in the centre. Stuart Thurgood will continue on the right side of midfield unless Steven Clark makes an unexpected start.. Both the loan players will play their last games of their one month loan period tonight.

Manager Rob Newman, who went back on his word about excluding the contract rebels, will again play Kevin Maher, Leon Cort and keeper Darryl Flahavan.

The big surprise will be the centre forward position, The Little Gazette have

Skipper Phil Whelan - expected to play at centre forward

been informed by a good source that Skipper Phil Whelan will take that position during the game. Whelan played in that position a few weeks ago at Swansea City in the latter stages of the game and scored a consolation goal in the Blues 3-2 defeat. Whelan will partner Blues only recognised striker Barrington Belgrave in attack.

Ben Smith who has impressed for the reserves recently is ruled out with a thigh strain.

The blues defence will see Darryl Flahavan in goal with Mark Beard at Right back, Damon Searle on the left with Stephen Broad and Leon Cort in the middle of the defence.

The Probable side is: Flahavan, Beard, Searle, Broad, Cort, Thurgood, Maher, Selley, Barry-Murphy, Whelan and Belgrave.
Subs from: Gay, Forbes, Clark, Newman, Johnson, McSweeney, Kerrigan and Szmid.

Steve Connolly
www.thelittlegazette.com