Southend United vs Tranmere Rovers - The Little Gazette preview

Southend United Player/manager Rob Newman will again wait until just before kick-off before naming his side to face Tranmere Rovers at Roots Hall tonight. Blues have named an Eighteen man squad as they face a Rovers side that is scoring goals for fun at the moment.

Stephen Broad - recovered

Southend will welcome back Darryl Flahavan in goal after his one-match suspension with Daniel Gay dropping to the bench. Stephen Broad has recovered from his ruptured groin and is favourite to start at right back. Player/manager Newman may revert to a five man

Stuart Thurgood - fit again

defence and recall himself. Stuart Thurgood has recovered from his ankle knock and looks set to play in a three man midfield alongside Kevin Maher and Carl Hutchings. Fit again Scott Forbes may have to settle with a place on the bench. Upfront Blues could well start with the pairing of Tes Bramble and Barrington Belgrave.

On loan Steven Clark will not be in the side tonight as West Ham United will not allow him to be cup-tied, this all stems back to the infamous Manny Omiyinni incident a few years back when West Ham brought him on as a substitute when he had already played for Gillingham in a previous round and was therefore cup-tied. Mark Beard (appendix) and Ben Smith (knee and ankle) are still on the road to recovery.

Blues Squad: Flahavan, Gay, Broad, McSweeney, Whelan, Cort, Newman, Searle, Forbes, Thurgood, Maher, Hutchings, Belgrave, Bramble, Rawle, Kerrigan, Johnson and Richards.

Highlights of tonight’s match can be seen on BBC-1 on Match of the day at 10.35pm

On Wednesday, Blues reserves travel to Cheltenham Town for an Avon Insurance League match Kick-off 2.00pm

Steve Connolly

www.thelittlegazette.com