Southend v Bradford preview

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On-loan duo Britt Assombalonga and Tamika Mkandawire are both set to return for Southend.

The pair sat out the penalty shoot-out victory over Bury in the FA Cup second round in midweek after being denied permission by their respective parent clubs to take part in the competition.

Both are expected to return to the midfield as the Shrimpers welcome the Bantams, who also enjoyed penalty shoot-out success in midweek.

Southend goalkeeper Paul Smith is a doubt with a back injury, so 19-year-old Daniel Bentley will keep his place in goal after saving two spot-kicks during the shoot-out.

Defender Mark Phillips has missed the club’s last three games with a knee injury and is sidelined once again, but John Spicer and David Martin are pushing for inclusion after overcoming illness.

Bradford have doubts over Nahki Wells and Will Atkinson as they return to League Two action.

The Bantams have had a fine week after disposing of Arsenal in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday and then being reinstated to the FA Cup the following day, but Phil Parkinson’s focus now returns to their promotion campaign.

The victory over the Gunners came at a cost as Wells suffered a knee injury and Atkinson picked up a hip problem.

Both men will be assessed ahead of kick-off, with Parkinson not willing to take risks with their fitness.

Winger Kyel Reid (groin) and striker Zavon Hines (ankle) are making good progress but are unlikely to return before Christmas, while Andrew Davies (knee) is not expected back for a month.

Fellow defender Luke Oliver (Achilles) is out for the rest of the season.

Southend v Bradford preview

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Skipper Chris Barker has been ruled out of Southend’s home clash.

The defender was forced off shortly after the hour mark in Tuesday’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Oldham having been unable to shrug off a calf problem.

Barker, however, insists it is more tightness than a strain and is hoping to be back in contention for the Boxing Day trip to Aldershot.

Bilel Mohsni starts a two-match ban for the red card he received at Boundary Park, a suspension which is his third of the season and will lead to internal discipline by the club although his future does appear to remain at Roots Hall.

Midfielder Jean-Paul Kalala is back in contention having served a one-match ban in midweek.

Winger Jemal Johnson, who has completed a 14-day club suspension as a result of his off-field behaviour, had a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday and a decision will be made by the powers that be at Southend over the next few days. It remains to be seen whether he will available to face Bradford.

Meanwhile, Bradford defender Robbie Threlfall could return to contention.

The 23-year-old full-back has been sidelined for over a month with a thigh problem, but may be included in Phil Parkinson’s squad.

Parkinson will be without striker Ross Hannah, who missed last week’s home draw with fellow strugglers Plymouth after injuring his hamstring during the warm-up. Craig Fagan is expected to continue alongside James Hanson up front.

Parkinson has no new injury or suspension problems and is unlikely to make any unforced changes, although midfield pair Chris Mitchell and Ritchie Jones and striker Nahki Wells are pushing for recalls to the starting line-up.

Midfielders David Syers and Lee Bullock, both long-term absentees due to knee injuries, are unlikely to be involved, but hope to feature at some stage during the Christmas fixture schedule.

Southend v Bradford preview

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Southend’s Bilel Mohsni is suspended.

The centre-half was sent off in last week’s defeat at Accrington for two yellow cards and as it was his second red card of the campaign, he earned a two-match ban.

Midfielder Craig Easton, who has been out since mid-March with a calf problem, is back on the comeback trail and he has trained all week so could be in contention.

Peter Gilbert signalled his intent earlier in the week to make a speedy recovery from a hernia operation but he has no chance of making the Roots Hall clash.

Boss Paul Sturrock has hinted he could make changes as he looks to make decisions about players’ futures, but he is not willing to to completely overhaul his selection.

“I’m not going to dismantle the team,” he told Southend Player. “I still want to finish as high as possible.

Bradford defender Lewis Hunt appears to have played his last game for the club this season due to contractual issues.

Hunt has featured on 19 occasions for the Bantams this season and due to a clause in his current deal a 20th appearance would have meant a 12-month contract extension, which the club are unable to commit to.

Midfielder Lee Bullock stepped in for Hunt at right-back in last week’s 3-0 home defeat to Torquay and is expected to continue.

Manager Peter Jackson will be without striker James Hanson again due to a hamstring injury and winger Kevin Ellison is still struggling with a thigh problem.

Michael Flynn and Gareth Evans started up front for City last week, but Jackson could consider changes, with Scott Dobie, Jake Speight and Chib Chilaka all in contention.