Team news ahead of Saturday's League Two clash between Lincoln City and Southend United at Sincil Bank.

Lincoln boss Steve Tilson has no new problems to contend with as he prepares to face his former club Southend.

However Tilson, who was in charge of the Essex club between 2003 and 2010, could make changes.

Scott Spencer - himself a former Shrimper - will be keen to start, along with fellow forward Ben Hutchinson, while defenders Paul Green and Pat Kanyuka and the versatile Jamie Clapham and Cian Hughton are also options for Tilson.

Luke Howell is still recovering from a hamstring injury and fellow midfielder Clark Keltie also remains sidelined. He is back in training after a long-term thigh problem but is a long way off regaining match fitness.

On-loan full-back Gavin Hoyte has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with the knee injury he sustained against Chesterfield last month.

Southend manager Paul Sturrock is hoping Kane Ferdinand will be fit.

The midfielder has missed the last four games with an ankle injury and faces a late fitness test before Sturrock names his squad to play the Imps.

Blair Sturrock returned to the side against Gillingham in midweek after illness and should continue to partner 13-goal Irishman Barry Corr in attack.

The versatile Bilel Mohsni is likely to be sidelined for another two to three weeks with ankle ligament damage, while Matt Paterson is unavailable for selection after he extended his loan with Stockport until the end of the season.

Striker Harry Crawford is pushing for a starting place as Sturrock's side look to close in on a play-off spot.