Tilly: 'Addicks will be right up there challenging for promotion all season'
Blues boss Steve Tilson is well aware how difficult it will be to end a five match losing streak away from Roots Hall against Charlton Saturday afternoon.
Tilly spoke to www.southendunited.co.uk: "It would be nice to get back to winning ways away from home but this is another very hard game. The players they have on the bench are very impressive and for me that just goes to show how strong they are. Charlton are a very good side. They are second at the moment and I think they will be right up there challenging for promotion all season."
Meanwhile, ex-player of the year Nicky Bailey will be making his first appearance against the Shrimpers since leaving the club.
Tilly continued: "Nicky was fantastic for us and he has been for Charlton too. He's a good player though and that's why we got almost £500,000 for him when he left. He will certainly be one to keep an eye on tomorrow but they have other dangers too."
Parkinson: 'We'll continue to monitor Omozusi's progress'
Addicks boss Phil Parkinson will have to decide whether to go back to Sheffield Wednesday as the month long loan period of striker Akpo Sodje ends after the Southend game.
It's not the only loanee the ex-head farmer had to worry about, Fulham right-back Elliot Omozusi original month loan finished at the end of November, however he'd done enough for the contract to be extended until December 28.
Parkinson told www.southlondon-today.co.uk: "Elliot is a steady player and he's getting fitter all the time. He did very well against Brighton on Tuesday. We'll continue to monitor his progress."
Blues fans may remember the two games diminutive winger Lloyd Sam played on loan in our ill-fated Championship season where he never got a decent run after getting injured. As well as Mr. Bailey, Sam is having a great season for the Addicks, yet may be a free agent at the end of the season.
Parkinson explained: "Lloyd's contract is up in the summer and both the board and I are aware of it. Lloyd is a good player and he's done well so far this season, but he needs to keep it going week-in, week-out and carry on playing his part. He needs to make sure he maintains that level of consistency."