Live Commentary

No new worries for Stanley Manager John Coleman has no new injury or suspension concerns for Accrington's clash with Southend. Defender Kevin Long came off the bench during Saturday's 3-1 win over Northampton after overcoming the broken toe which has kept him out for the majority of the season. However, he will probably have to settle for a place on the bench with Coleman set to name the same starting XI that cruised past the Cobblers. Stanley are just one point adrift of the npower League Two play-off places with a game in hand over seventh-placed Gillingham. Accrington tackle Macclesfield on Friday after the encounter with the Shrimpers and Coleman believes this will be a defining week in their season. "It's going to be a long hard slog now but I've said to the players that from now until Friday these are possibly the biggest six days in my football career," he said. "Certainly for most of them it will be as well." Southend boss Paul Sturrock is likely to be without striker Harry Crawford for the trip. The 19-year-old striker suffered what appeared to be a broken nose 38 minutes into Saturday's 0-0 draw against Aldershot and had to be replaced by Sturrock's son, Blair. If Crawford is deemed unfit for selection, Sturrock will take his place in the starting line-up, with inexperienced Kyle Asante the only other fit forward in the club's ranks. The Shrimpers defence will again be stretched with centre-back and left-back Peter Gilbert still sidelined by calf and hernia injuries respectively, but Bilel Mohsni is likely to continue at the heart of defence following his comeback from two months out with an ankle injury against the Shots. Experienced defender Chris Barker is set to continue at left-back after taking up the role in recent weeks, but full-back Miguel Comminges could fill the gap if necessary on his comeback from a knee problem. Central midfielder Craig Easton remains sidelined with a calf problem.