Southend v Dagenham preview

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Southend are unable to welcome back any of their absentees.

Midfielder John Spicer serves the second game and striker Barry Corr the final game of their respective three-match suspensions following recent red cards.

Centre-back Mark Phillips (groin), midfielder Ryan Leonard (hamstring) and striker Neil Harris (knee) also continue to be unavailable.

But manager Paul Sturrock has no new injury or suspension problems following Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Barnet, and the Shrimpers boss has signalled his desire to go on an extended run in the Football League Trophy.

“I’ve said all along we want to do well in this competition,” Sturrock told the club’s official website ahead of the second-round tie. “We beat Dagenham last month in the league but to be honest the (3-1) scoreline flattered us on that occasion.”

Fit-again duo Gavin Tomlin and Paul Smith both made their returns to Sturrock’s starting XI at the weekend and are again expected to be in contention.

Matt Saunders comes into firm contention for his first appearance since March for Dagenham.

The midfielder has fully recovered from the ankle injury sustained shortly after netting a winning goal against Bradford towards the back end of last season.

Saunders has been an unused substitute for Dagenham’s last two games but could finally get his chance, whether it be a starting place or off the bench.

Fellow long-term injury victim Kevin Maher is also virtually fully-fit after his lengthy foot troubles and may make the matchday 16.

Manager John Still is not expected to have any new injury or suspension problems as the Daggers aim to extend their four-match unbeaten sequence following Saturday’s dramatic 4-3 success at home to Bradford.