Cheltenham v Southend preview

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Cheltenham could be without Steve Elliott when they host Southend.

The experienced 35-year-old defender missed the 1-0 away win at Hartlepool last Saturday having picked up an ankle problem in their loss to Scunthorpe.

Wolves loanee Michael Ihiekwe shook off his tonsillitis to start in Elliott’s place and could get the nod again at the heart of the Robins defence while Jermaine McGlashan looks set to start either on the wing or upfront after his winner at Victoria Park.

The Robins head into this match looking for just their sixth home League Two win this season at the Abbey Business Stadium.

Southend welcome striker Barry Corr back as they aim to consolidate their play-off place at Cheltenham.

Corr has served a three-match ban for his red card in the goalless draw with Bury but he may have to be content with a place on the bench.

Shrimpers boss Phil Brown has gone with Jamar Loza and Lee Barnard as his front pair in the last two games but Freddy Eastwood came off the bench to score the winner against Torquay last weekend to leave Brown with a selection headache.

On-loan Norwich winger Jacob Murphy could make his full debut, while defender Adam Thompson is fit again after his calf problem.

Cheltenham v Southend preview

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Cheltenham boss Mark Yates will be without skipper Alan Bennett once again.

Bennett, who is yet to start a game this season, suffered a calf strain in training after just returning from a back injury.

The defender is expected to miss the next two matches but is still partaking in light training.

Otherwise Yates has a fully fit squad to choose from with no fresh concerns or suspension worries.

And the Robins chief praised his side’s response against Wycombe last weekend, admitting he may keep faith with the same side.

“It was a lot better last week and I can’t see too many changes,” he told the club’s official website.

“You take games one at a time and our build-up is Southend, Southend, Southend.”

Southend will again be without Luke Prosser and Ryan Leonard for the tough trip.

Defender Prosser (calf) and midfielder Leonard (hamstring) both missed last weekend’s 3-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge and the pair continue to sit out.

Winger Dave Martin will be assessed in the build-up to the encounter having picked up a knock.

The game comes too soon for long-term absentees Freddy Eastwood (calf) and Barry Corr (groin).

Eastwood’s training has been restricted of late due to illness while fellow frontman Corr is also approaching his comeback but needs minutes on the pitch before being considered for first-team selection.

Back-up goalkeeper Cameron Belford is to return to parent club Bury when his month-long loan stay expires after the encounter.

Cheltenham v Southend preview

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Cheltenham will be without the suspended Darryl Duffy for the match this weekend.

Duffy was sent off for two bookable offences during the Robins’ 4-2 FA Cup win at Luton last weekend and serves a one-match ban.

The Scot has led the line for Cheltenham of late, and his ban will give an opportunity for one of Jeff Goulding, James Spencer or Marlon Jackson to impress in the lone central forward role.

Spencer, on loan from Huddersfield, said he and his team-mates are confident they can continue the sensational form which has seen them rise to third spot in the league table.

“In football you’ve always got to have that belief that you can go out and win every game,” he said. “We know we’ve got good players at the club so we have to keep pushing on.”

Other than Duffy, manager Mark Yates has no injury or suspension concerns ahead of the fixture.

Meanwhile, Mark Phillips and Michael Timlin return to a Southend squad which has been hit with a virus.

Centre-back Phillips and midfielder Timlin served one-match suspensions and missed Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern section semi-final exit to Swindon, a defeat which ended the Shrimpers’ record-equalling 17-match unbeaten run.

The league leaders will be looking to get back to winnings ways at Whaddon Road, but it will not be easy against a Robins side who are only two places and four points below them in the table.

Manager Paul Sturrock has had to send a couple of unnamed players home from training due to throat infections, but is hoping they clear up prior to the weekend.

As well as Phillips and Timlin, midfielder Jean-Paul Kalala and striker Liam Dickinson will also hope to be recalled to Sturrock’s starting XI having been rested to the bench in midweek.

Winger Jemal Johnson remains suspended pending an internal investigation into his off-field behaviour, while striker Barry Corr and midfielder Harry Crawford (both knee) are long-term absentees.

Cheltenham v Southend preview

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Cheltenham manager Mark Yates should have a full squad to choose from when his side host Southend.

Striker Jeff Goulding and midfielder Frankie Artus are the only two doubtful members of the squad, but after receiving treatment over the past few days, both are likely to be included.

Goulding was withdrawn in the 79th minute of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with promotion-contenders Shrewsbury after picking up a knock but should be fine, while Artus should be available to return after undergoing extensive treatment on a knock picked up in training last week and is expected to take his place on the bench.

The Robins will be looking to improve on their record of just two wins in their last seven league games.

Southend manager Paul Sturrock will be able to call upon Anthony Grant and Bilel Mohsni again when his side travel to face Cheltenham.

Midfielder Grant and defender Mohsni both missed the 3-1 defeat at Burton Albion due to suspension but are likely to be in line for an instant recall following the Shrimpers’ poor display, with Alex Woodyard and Luke Prosser among the candidates to drop out of the starting line-up.

However, left-back Peter Gilbert will sit out the second match of a three-game ban following his red card in the 1-1 draw at Stevenage on November 23.

Sturrock’s son Blair could replace Antonio German up front as he did at half-time at the weekend, but Mark Phillips is again unlikely to be involved as he continues his recovery from a hernia problem.

A number of first-team players will have knocks assessed before the game, but following the manner of the Burton defeat, Sturrock may choose to make changes as he looks to end a run of seven games without a win in all competitions.