Southend United vs Rochdale - Team News

Tony Richards - set to lead the attack

Southend United will be without the injured Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle and Steven Clark for Saturday’s game at Roots Hall. 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 on Tuesday evening. Clark has still not recovered from his knee injury.

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 twenty 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, Scott Forbes, Barrington Belgrave, Ben Smith and Tony Richards.

Blues are now unbeaten in three matches after getting back on the winning trail with a 2-1 win over struggling Bristol Rovers and then picking up two further points with draws against Oxford United and Carlise United.

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

Mark Rawle - still injured

End will take Mark Rawle’s place on the left flank with the other loan signing, Ian Selley from Wimbledon in the centre of midfield.

Manager Rob Newman must decide whether to keep to his word and exclude contract rebels Kevin Maher, Leon Cort and keeper Darryl Flahavan.

Tony Richards who played 62 minutes for the reserves at Northampton Town on Wednesday afternoon looks likely to lead the attack alongside Barrington Belgrave.

Ben Smith who again impressed for the reserves in midweek is added to the squad.

The Probable side depends on Manager Rob Newman’s decision regarding the contract rebels, if they are omitted it could mean chances for Dave McSweeney, Daniel Gay and Marek Szmid and possibly Ben Smith to make a first team start.

Meanwhile acording to Teamtalk.com Rochdale's Teenage defender Simon Grand has been drafted into the squad for the trip to Southend on Saturday, but is set to start on the bench.

The 18-year-old is unlikely to line up for John Hollins's team as the side bid to build on the come-from-behind 2-1 win at Halifax on Tuesday.

Dale look set to be unchanged for the trip to Roots Hall, with Lee McEvilly again likely to keep out Kevin Townson. And Hollins makes no apologies for restricting 12-goal top scorer Townson to a substitutes role in recent weeks. He said: "Having Kevin on the bench gives us the element of surprise because he can come on and open things up. "We're now back in fourth and with games in hand on a few teams. They mean nothing if you don't win, though, and that is why we have to keep on getting three points."

Dale (probable): Banks, Doughty, Evans, Todd, Jobson, Griffiths, Flitcroft, McCourt, Oliver, McEvilly, Platt
Picture: Townson set for bench role again

Steve Connolly
www.thelittlegazette.com