Exeter v Southend preview

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Exeter boss Paul Tisdale will hand fitness tests to two players as the Grecians look to keep their faint play-off hopes alive against Southend.

City were beaten 2-1 at Wycombe on Tuesday due to a goal in the final seconds and that away trip was the second successive match that Tom McCready and Craig Woodman have missed through injury and they will both be assessed.

Tisdale has no fresh injury or suspension worries and could shuffle his pack with David Wheeler, Tom Nichols and Clinton Morrison all itching to start.

City know anything but a win against Southend would mean League Two football is a certainty next season.

Phil Brown must decide whether to recall Southend’s in-form striker Barry Corr to the starting line-up.

The Irishman, who had scored nine goals in 11 games before this week, was an unused substitute on Tuesday night against Newport having been granted some space for a family problem.

A similar issue has kept midfielder David Worrall out of the XI and Brown concedes the form of Gary Deegan, Adam Barrett and Cian Bolger has given him some selection issues across the board.

One decision may be taken out of his hands, though, as right-back John White (hip) is a doubt so Ryan Leonard may have to deputise in that role.

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Exeter v Southend preview

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The Grecians are set to be boosted by the return of experienced right-back Danny Butterfield when they welcome the Shrimpers.

The former Crystal Palace defender has not featured since picking up a calf strain injury in the Devon derby victory over Plymouth last month but is back in contention.

“Danny Butterfield is fit for selection,” manager Paul Tisdale said. “He has not had any match play but he has trained and he is through his injury. We are getting back to full strength.”

Another boost for Tisdale is the return of playmaker Alan Gow who missed Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Peterborough through injury and he is likely to take Tommy Doherty’s place in the side. The former Northern Ireland international midfielder is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.

Mark Phillips returns from suspension for Southend’s trip to Exeter.

The centre-back has missed the Shrimpers’ last three matches but is back in the fold at St James Park, although midfielder Conor Clifford continues to serve his ban.

Midfielder Marc Laird will be hoping for more minutes following his recent return while striker Freddy Eastwood is also eyeing a place in the matchday 18 having overcome his niggling knee problems.

Defender Julian Bennett is now the only player in the treatment room as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury, while Adam Thompson is away with Northern Ireland’s Under-21 squad.

Exeter v Southend preview

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Exeter’s new signing Myles Anderson may have to make do with a place on the bench.

The 22-year-old left-sided defender joined the club this week after being released by Blackburn but with Paul Tisdale having a settled back four he is unlikely to put the former Aberdeen man straight into his line-up.

Midfielder Liam Sercombe’s ankle injury means the City youth product will probably miss the rest of the season, while striker Jamie Cureton will serve the second match of his three-game suspension for his red card at Wycombe on New Year’s Day.

Irishman Jimmy Keohane looks set to keep his place after scoring his first professional goal to beat the Chairboys last time out while Kevin Amankwaah is pushing for a start after impressing as a half-time substitute.

Southend welcome back Marc Laird for the trip.

The midfielder was cup-tied for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy semi-final in midweek but is expected to return to the side as Paul Sturrock’s side look to bounce back from consecutive league defeats.

Goalkeeper Paul Smith is expected to continue despite storming off down the tunnel after being replaced by Dan Bentley in stoppage time on Tuesday night.

Sturrock brought on the young ‘keeper ahead of the penalty shoot-out, after he had saved three spot-kicks in the FA Cup second round replay win over Bury, and he was again the hero as he stopped Alfie Potter’s effort in the victory over Oxford.

On-loan striker Britt Assombalonga is a doubt once more as he continues to struggle with ankle and shin problems. He will be assessed ahead of the game, with a place on the bench likely if he is passed fit.