Southend boosted by Laird arrival Mark Phillips misses out as Southend aim to get back to winning ways at home to York. The influential centre-back returned too early from a groin injury and duly suffered a recurrence in the second half of Tuesday's poor 2-1 home defeat to Aldershot. Manager Paul Sturrock's injury problems have not improved elsewhere, with midfielders Michael Timlin (ankle) and Ryan Leonard (hamstring) as well as defender Luke Prosser (gluteus maximus) continuing to watch from the stands. But there is positive news for the Shrimpers boss in the form of midfielder Marc Laird, who is in line for his debut having arrived on loan from Leyton Orient on Friday morning. Striker Barry Corr was also expected to return to training on Friday after his troublesome groin injury and could make the bench. York will be without injured forward Michael Coulson for their home game with Northampton. Coulson was forced out of the midweek win at Accrington, leaving the field on a stretcher after being caught by home defender Dean Winnard. Manager Gary Mills is expected to push Matty Blair up front from his new midfield role alongside Ashley Chambers and Jason Walker. Patrick McLaughlin and Jonathan Smith will vie to fill the gap left in midfield as Lee Bullock has joined Gateshead on loan. Daniel Parslow hopes to retain his place in defence, but John McReady is still sidelined and fellow defender Lanre Oyebanjo is not yet match fit despite returning to training. Mills has no new injury or suspension problems and is unlikely to make further changes as his side chase a third straight league win.
Source: PA
