Exeter V Southend at St James Park : Match Preview

11 January 2013 10:31
Exeter V Southend - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Bench duty for Anderson

Exeter's new signing Myles Anderson may have to make do with a place on the bench as the Grecians host Southend.

The 22-year-old left-sided defender joined the club this week after being released by Blackburn but with Paul Tisdale having a settled back four he is unlikely to put the former Aberdeen man straight into his line-up.

Midfielder Liam Sercombe's ankle injury means the City youth product will probably miss the rest of the season, while striker Jamie Cureton will serve the second match of his three-game suspension for his red card at Wycombe on New Year's Day.

Irishman Jimmy Keohane looks set to keep his place after scoring his first professional goal to beat the Chairboys last time out while Kevin Amankwaah is pushing for a start after impressing as a half-time substitute.

Southend welcome back Marc Laird. The midfielder was cup-tied for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy semi-final in midweek but is expected to return to the side as Paul Sturrock's side look to bounce back from consecutive league defeats.

Goalkeeper Paul Smith is expected to continue despite storming off down the tunnel after being replaced by Dan Bentley in stoppage-time on Tuesday night.

Sturrock brought on the young keeper ahead of the penalty shoot-out, after he had saved three spot-kicks in the FA Cup second round replay win over Bury, and he was again the hero as he stopped Alfie Potter's effort in the victory over Oxford.

On-loan striker Britt Assombalonga is a doubt once more as he continues to struggle with ankle and shin problems. He will be assessed ahead of the game, with a place on the bench likely if he is passed fit.

Source: PA