Southend v Chesterfield preview

admin

Skipper John White continues to miss out as Southend play host to promotion rivals Chesterfield.

The right-back sat out of last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Plymouth due to a shoulder injury sustained in the club’s 4-1 FA Cup victory over Millwall and is likely to remain sidelined for at least another couple of weeks.

Boss Phil Brown is not expected to have any new injury or suspension concerns as his fifth-placed side look for a victory which would see them leapfrog the third-placed Spireites.

The likes of Adam Thompson, Marc Laird, Cauley Woodrow and Freddy Eastwood are all available should Brown opt to make changes.

Sam Hird and Ian Evatt return from suspension to give Chesterfield boss Paul Cook a full squad to choose from for the trip to fellow promotion hopefuls Southend.

With Hird and Evatt serving one-match bans, Liam Cooper and Matty Brown formed the Spireites’ central-defensive partnership for the first time in a competitive fixture against Bury last weekend as Cook’s men kept a clean sheet in a 4-0 victory.

Striker Marc Richards (hamstring), midfielders Sam Morsy (knee) and Jimmy Ryan (shoulder) and winger Gary Roberts (hamstring) all started against the Shakers after recovering from injuries, giving the manager a selection headache ahead of Saturday’s game in Essex.

“We’ve got everyone fit and available and we can’t wait. But that means some lads won’t make the bench, and I’m not looking forward to that,” said Cook.

Southend v Chesterfield preview

admin

Mark Phillips could make his return from injury for Southend.

The defender has missed the Shrimpers’ last four matches due to a knee problem but has declared himself fit enough to be involved at Roots Hall.

The 30-year-old’s availability means boss Paul Sturrock is only missing Neil Harris, who remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Goalkeeper Paul Smith came through last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bradford unscathed on his return from a back injury and will keep his place in goal.

Britt Assombalonga extended his loan spell until the end of the season during the week. The striker, who has netted 12 goals in 26 appearances, will continue his partnership with Gavin Tomlin in attack.

Southend are unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions but sit just two points ahead of the Spireites in the League Two table.

Chesterfield will be without leading scorer Jack Lester.

Lester received a straight red card in injury time at the end of the Spireites’ 1-1 home draw against Burton last weekend and the eight-goal striker will begin a three-match suspension in Essex.

Fellow veteran forward Luis Boa Morte is manager Paul Cook’s only other concern ahead of the game on Friday night.

Boa Morte missed the Burton match due to a hamstring problem and the former Portugal international remains a doubt.

Chesterfield will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to six league games knowing victory would temporarily move them up to sixth in the table above Southend, who are unbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions.

Southend v Chesterfield preview

admin

Peter Gilbert will be hoping to secure a place in Southend’s starting line-up when they take on Chesterfield.

Gilbert took part in his first match in six weeks in Wednesday’s Essex Senior Cup clash against Chelmsford City following a three-game ban.

The defender made the bench for Monday’s defeat to Cheltenham and will be hoping to get the nod to start by boss Paul Sturrock.

Goalkeeper Glenn Morris boosted his hopes of a recall by saving three penalties against Chelmsford.

The Shrimpers prevailed in a shoot-out with the fit-again stopper impressing as he looks to displace Rhys Evans in the starting XI.

Defender Mark Phillips is in contention after recovering from a hernia problem that has kept him out since November.

Meanwhile, Chesterfield boss John Sheridan is hopeful key men Mark Allott and Craig Davies will be available.

Both players missed out on Monday with tight hamstrings. Allott has missed the last two matches and top scorer Davies was rested against Accrington.

Right-back Jack Hunt will also be hoping for a recall after his introduction as a substitute at the Crown Ground. The on-loan Huddersfield defender lifted his side, who were 2-0 and heading for defeat.

Fellow subs Deane Smalley and Scott Boden, who scored the last-gasp goals that earned the league leaders an undeserved draw, will hope they caught the eye of Sheridan, who described the performance against Stanley as his side’s worst of the season.

Drew Talbot took a nasty knock on a knee in that game but carried on and he is expected to be fit. However, it is touch and go with fellow forward Dean Morgan who is still nursing the ankle injury he sustained against Stockport.