Southend V Morecambe at Roots Hall - Match Preview




No new worries for Shrimpers

Southend boss Phil Brown has no fresh injury problems ahead of Morecambe's trip to Roots Hall.

The Shrimpers will definitely be without long-term absentees Michael Timlin (broken leg) and Neil Harris (knee), while Brown will hand a late fitness test to Ben Reeves, who has been out with a calf injury.

Defender Luke Prosser is expected to keep his place in defence after returning from a back problem.

Goalkeeper Paul Smith could return to the starting XI having been sidelined by a virus. Daniel Bentley will continue in goal if Smith, who sat on the bench during Saturday's 2-1 defeat to York, is not ready to start.

Southend sit 11th in the league and are unable to qualify for the play-offs.

Morecambe are without Kevin Ellison for their last game of the season.

The 13-goal striker has been hit with a one-match ban by the FA for his celebration in front of Rotherham fans after he had scored a stoppage-time winner against his former club.

Shrimps boss Jim Bentley is already without defenders Chris McCready and Chris Doyle, while fellow centre-backs Andy Parrish and Will Haining are rated as 50-50 for the fixture.

McCready will be sidelined for up to four months after undergoing ankle surgery while youngster Doyle is suspended after being sent-off in the 2-0 defeat to Torquay.

Parrish is struggling with a thigh strain while Haining has a hand injury.

Bentley's men are 16th in the table and have won just one of their last nine fixtures.

Source: PA

Source: PA