Player/Manager Rob Newman will again stick to his policy of naming the side just before the kick-off for Saturday’s game at Roots Hall against second from bottom York City, Newman has named an nineteen man squad.
Blues squad: Darryl Flahavan, Daniel Gay, Stephen Broad, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle, Danny Kerrigan, Leon Cort, Phil Whelan, Rob Newman, Leon Johnson, Mark Beard, Marek Szmid, Stuart Thurgood, Carl Hutchings, Scott Forbes, Barrington Belgrave, Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle and Tony Richards.
It is expected that Blues will line-up in an attacking 4-4-2 formation as they search for three points to further their play-off ambitions, the Shrimpers are currently in thirteenth position, seven points off the last play-off spot.
Stuart Thurgood looks likely to line up in midfield, in place of
the injured Kevin Maher, alongside Carl Hutchings with fit again Mark Rawle on the left wing.
Steven Clark is still suffering from his knee injury and could be out of action for up to a month, therefore the right wing position could well be filled by the fit again Mark Beard, Beard came through ninety minutes for the reserves on Monday in the 4-0 win over Norwich City at Roots Hall. Other candidates for the wide right position are Scott Forbes and Tony Richards.
Ten goal leading goal scorer Tes Bramble has recovered from his groin injury and will line-up with Barrington Belgrave in the dual strikers role
The defence will be the usual five of Darryl Flahavan, Stephen Broad, Damon Searle, Leon Cort and Skipper Phil Whelan.
Probable side: Flahavan, Broad, Searle, Whelan, Cort, Beard, Hutchings, Thurgood, Rawle, Belgrave and Bramble.
Subs: Gay, Newman, Johnson, Forbes and Richards
Following York City team news is from TeamTalk
New loan-signing striker Jon Parkin may be thrown straight into the fray at Southend tomorrow, in place of injured centre-back Mike Basham. 
With Basham having joined the club's casualty list after picking up an ankle knock at Rochdale in the week, Terry Dolan could yet be forced to use the striker at the back at Roots Hall.
The loan signing from Barnsley himself admits: "Up until the age of 15 I always played up front, but after that I was often at centre-half."
Basham is making progress from his new injury but is still doubtful and Parkin's height could make him a useful deputy.
Neville Stamp, also injured against Rochdale, has a ready-made replacement against The Shrimpers in Mark Maley.
York (probable): Fettis, Edmondson, Maley, Parkin, Hocking, Potter, Richardson, Brass, Bullock, Duffield, Proctor.
Picture: Dolan needs to patch up the defence
Steve Connolly
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