Brown to shuffle pack
Southend manager Phil Brown is set to use Tuesday night's Capital One Cup clash with Walsall at Roots Hall as a chance to experiment and bring in fresh legs after Saturday's League Two win at Accrington.
The Shrimpers boss has confirmed that the likes of Adam Thompson, Mads Ibenfeldt, Will Atkinson and Jack Payne will play some part in the game after missing out versus Stanley.
"We'll make some changes for Walsall and we'll also take a look at a slightly new system," said Brown. "But a good cup run can give the players a lot of confidence and also breed that winning mentality we're trying to build here."
Teenage midfielder Payne got his breakthrough in this competition against Yeovil 12 months ago and said on the club website: "This time around I want to push on and become a regular starter in the team. That's the aim for me this season."
Walsall boss Dean Smith has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Tuesday night's Capital One Cup trip to Southend but is still waiting on Sam Mantom, Ben Purkiss, Matt Preston and Jordan Cook returning to full fitness.
The Saddlers began their League One campaign with a solid draw at Port Vale and Smith is content with the progress being made at the club.
On Mantom, the manager told Walsall Player: "He played 20 minutes against Aston Villa last week and that's the first action he's had in pre-season. He felt it slightly the following day and the important thing is we make sure it's only one or two weeks he misses rather than a few months, so we've got to make sure he's right as he's a big player for us."
Purkiss is expected to step up his recovery in the next week, with fellow defender Preston another week behind, while Smith is eyeing a cup run to boost his search for reinforcements up front.
Source: PA
