The Irishman has been sidelined for a fortnight with a thigh strain, missing defeats by Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday, but he has resumed full training and could be pitched straight back in.
Peter Clarke is also back in contention following a one-match ban and will challenge Spencer Prior for his place at centre-half.
Left-back Steven Hammell is still out with a groin injury and centre- back Adam Barrett is out for a month after undergoing a hernia operation earlier this week.
Leicester manager Rob Kelly faces a dilemma ahead of the trip to Southend as defender Nils-Eric Johansson serves a one-match ban.
Left-back Johansson picked up his fifth booking of the season during the 1-1 draw with West Brom having been part of the Foxes defence which conceded just two goals during February.
With natural replacement Paddy McCarthy out for the season Kelly may opt to draft in Darren Kenton or Richard Stearman.
Stephen Hughes and James Wesolowski both missed out on Thursday's training session after complaining of a virus and it is yet to be seen whether they will be well enough to play.
Midfielder Danny Tiatto (hamstring) and striker Matty Fryatt (toe) are still missing.