Southend United vs Bristol Rovers - team news

Tes Bramble - eight games without a goal

Player/Manager Rob Newman will again stick to his policy of naming the side just before the kick-off for Tuesday evening’s game at Roots Hall against struggling Bristol Rovers, Newman has named an eighteen man squad

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

Rob Newman is expected to drop himself to the bench against the Pirates and play a 4-4-2 formation after the 5-3-2 clearly failed to work at Victoria Park on Saturday as Hartlepool rammed home five goals.

The Roots Hall faithful will have their first chance to see the Blues latest loan signings, Irish born left-sided midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy on loan from Preston North End and Ian Selley fromWimbledon, in action. Both will play in the centre of midfield.

Kevin Maher, who is still considering whether to sign a new one –year deal with

Darrryl Flahavan - six games without a clean sheet

the Blues or switch to Leyton Orient on an eighteen month contract on better terms, is still out with his injured toe but is back in light training. Right winger Steven Clark is still suffering from his knee injury and could still be out of action for another week or two therefore the right midfield position will be filled by Stuart Thurgood with Mark Rawle reverting to the left wing from a strikers role.

Mark Beard who was sent-off on his return to action at Roots Hall against York City misses the second match of a three match ban for violent conduct.

The worry up-front is still the lack of goals for Blues striker Tes Bramble who has not scored for Eight games now, Bramble will be partnered by Barrington Belgrave who netted Blues consolation at Hartlepool when coming on as a second half substitute. Tony Richards is still out with an injured back

The defence will be the five of Darryl Flahavan, Stephen Broad, Damon Searle, Leon Cort and Skipper Phil Whelan.

Probable side: Flahavan, Broad, Searle, Whelan, Cort, Thurgood, Selley, Barry-Murphy, Rawle, Belgrave and Bramble.

Subs: Gay, Johnson, Szmid, Newman and Forbes or Kerrigan or McSweeney


Following Bristol Rovers team news is from Teamtalk.com

Meanwhile Trevor Challis has declared himself fit for tuesday's match away to Southend United after suffering no reaction to his recent shin problem.
Challis made his comeback in Saturday's setback against Lincoln City, his first start since the FA Cup defeat against Gillingham on February 5. He has been on the sidelines since then with a shin injury but he passed a late fitness test for Saturday's match and today declared he suffered no major reaction.

"On Thursday night I saw the club doctor and he told me I might be out for another week so when I trained okay on Friday it was a real bonus," said Challis. "I took a few painkillers before the match on Saturday and when Tommo asked me if I could play I said no problems."

Challis had a steady game in a 4-4-2 formation with Mark McKeever playing ahead of him on the wing. "I felt a bit stiff the next day but I'm fine now and I'm up for he match on Tuesday." Challis stressed that it is essential that the players do not let their heads drop and ignore the jibes coming from the terraces.
Bristol Rovers have now lost four games on the spin and they know they have to stop the rot as soon as possible, hopefully at Roots Hall on Tuesday night.
"We have to go into the game positive and believing we can win," added Challis. "I believe one result will turn things around for us."
Picture: Challis fitness boost

Steve Connolly
www.thelittlegazette.com