By Tim Dudding, at Roots Hall

Joel Lynch has failed in his battle to be fit for tonight's clash at Southend, and so Dean Wilkins has recalled Guy Butters to the Albion defence.

Otherwise Albion are unchanged from the side that lost against Port Vale, although Doug Loft returns on the bench.

Steve Tilson keeps faith with his Southend side that won 3-1 at Crewe at the weekend.

Alex Revell is on the bench for the home side.

Southend: (4-4-2) Flahavan; Francis, Clarke, Barrett, Mulgrew; Black, Bailey, McCormack, Gower; Walker, Barnard. Subs: Collis, Revell, Grant, Moussa, MacDonald.

Albion: (4-4-2) Kuipers; Whing, Elphick, Butters, Mayo; Cox, Thomson, Racon, Westlake; Forster, Murray. Subs: Robinson, Martot, Gatting, Rents, Loft.