Brown to freshen up Southend
Southend are not expected to have any new injury or suspension problems ahead of the visit of Bristol Rovers, but boss Phil Brown has promised to freshen his ranks.
After last Sunday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final defeat, Brown made four changes for Wednesday's 4-2 reverse at Rochdale, a result which all but ended the club's slim play-off hopes.
Mark Phillips, Ben Reeves, Marc Laird and Barry Corr replaced Bilel Mohsni, Luke Prosser, Gavin Tomlin and Anthony Straker, with the latter two taking their places on the bench at Spotland.
Mohsni and Prosser will be hoping for recalls having been rested altogether while the likes of Michael Spillane, Freddy Eastwood and Ryan Leonard will also be aiming to come in from the cold.
Brown will continue to give youth a chance and Mitch Pinnock and Seedy Njie will also be involved.
Bristol Rovers will be without Danny Woodards for the trip.
The defender has been ruled out for up to nine months after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament in the 4-1 defeat to Bradford in midweek.
Youngster Ollie Clarke could be handed a full debut in his place after coming off the bench at Valley Parade and impressing boss John Ward.
Skipper Tom Parkes is available after completing his two-match ban, while striker Oumare Tounkara and winger Ellis Harrison are expected to return after missing the midweek defeat due to knocks.
Ward's men must win if they are to keep their slim hopes of a play-off place alive. They currently trail seventh-placed Bradford by six points - and have a much inferior goal difference - with just three games left to play.
Source: PA
