Team News
Well, the paperwork for the six-month loan deal of Ian Sawyer from Chelsea went through, so he'll play some part, but probably not at centre-half.
As widely reported skipper Adam Barrett will not play. Be interesting who gets the nod in the central two positions.
Meanwhile Kevin Betsy was added to the list of injured Blues strikers, a growing list, as he picked up an ankle problem in training.
Blues boss Steve Tilson tried to keep smiling as the injuries mounted: "Kev's injury isn't too bad but it was bad enough for him not to be able to play against Ipswich. It's never good to get injuries but James and Damian are back in training now and Osei should be next week as well. (We were told just a week, a week ago!) We still have a few weeks to go until the start of the season and we know we have to bring people in. Until then we will battle on with what we've got and make sure that players aren't being forced to play for too long."
As for the Daggers: "It will be a competitive match again and that's what we need. Dagenham are quite direct and physical so it will be a good test."
'Direct and physical'. A good test indeed for our ever decreasing squad!
Also definitly out: Osei Sankofa (achilles), Dougie Freedman (ankle), Damian Scannell (knee), James Walker (hamstring).
Dagenham News
As half the side that just missed out on promotion to League One last season seems to have joined Brentford Daggers Boss John Still would have pleased fans by confirming that striker Paul Benson will still be playing for Dagenham & Redbridge this season as speculation grew that he was on his way to Gillingham.
Still told the local press: "Let me make it clear, Paul has come to me, not the other way around and said he has no desire at all to leave the club. I have read a lot of rubbish in other papers and on the internet that he wants to join Gillingham, but that is not the case. If there was an offer that came in that was right for him and we couldn't turn down, then naturally he would talk to them. But as I have stated, Mark Stimson asked if we would sell Paul Benson and I said he wasn't for sale, but if you want to make me an offer, I will take it to the board."
So how much would it take John?: "I also said that if it was between £15-£20k then that wouldn't be enough, so I have no idea where the figure of £150,000 came from. No player has ever wanted to leave this club, the likes of Craig Mackail-Smith and Dominic Green had to be pushed out of the door literally, while the three who left recently just had the right offer that came along."
One player who Southend could play against is Will Antwi, the former Crystal Palace and Wycombe defender.
Still said of him and of other possible signings: "He's always been a player I have liked, he has trained hard and done well for us. He has good experience and is a good organiser on the pitch, so it should be done soon. I might be looking at a couple more players, but I think the squad is almost complete now. It's all about fitness at the moment, and players getting games under their belts and (when) we get to the likes of Southend, Birmingham and Orient, then the football starts. I'm happy with how everything is shaping up right now."
Getting There
By Train
Southend Central line to Upminster then get the tube to Dagenham East.
Upminster to Dagenham East about ten minutes.
From the station turn left, Victoria Road is about 400 yards away, the ground is a further 100 yards down Victoria Road.
Or Southend Victoria line to Stratford and get the tube to Mile End and then pick up the District Line.
By Car
Leave the M25 at Junction 31 and take the A13 towards Central London. After approximately 4.6 miles, exit the A13 onto the slip road, signposted Dagenham/Dagenham East.
At the end of the slip road at the double roundabout turn right, then going under the A13. At the T-junction turn left onto the A1306. At the second set of lights turn right onto the B178 (Ballards Road). At the end of this road you will come to a large roundabout, (known as the Bull roundabout, after the public house of the same name) at which you turn left, into Rainham Road.
Proceed up Rainham Road passing Dagenham East tube station on the left and Victoria Road is a quarter of a mile further on, on the same side of the road.
There is very limited parking at the ground available by prior arrangement only.
Other parking is available in the side roads near the ground and fills up fairly quickly before a major game. You ought to find something, but the later you arrive, the further you walk. It is possible to park in Pondfield Road behind the club and walk across Pondfield Park to the back entrance into the ground.
Note that parking on the pavement in Bury Road is not allowed and the Council will be giving parking tickets and potentially also clamping cars that are found here on match days.
Please be careful not to block driveways or other access ways if parking on the side streets in the area.
Pub and a Pie
The Daggers clubhouse is open to away fans on most match days for a day membership of 50p and serves a decent pint of Young's.
The Eastbrook, Dagengham Road.
Dagenham Road, top of bottom right.