Southend v Wimbledon preview

Last updated: 11th March 2013   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Southend v Wimbledon preview

Paul Sturrock: Returns from leg infection

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Team news for Tuesday's League Two clash between Southend and AFC Wimbledon at Roots Hall.

Shrimpers boss Paul Sturrock will be back in the dugout for the visit of the relegation-threatened Dons.

Sturrock was unable to attend Saturday's impressive 2-1 victory at Port Vale due to a leg infection but he was back at the club's training ground on Monday and will retake the reins from assistant Graham Coughlan at Roots Hall.

"I listened to the game on Saturday and it sounded as though the work-rate from the whole team was excellent," the Scot told the club's official website.

"I had to do a couple of laps of the garden when it was 2-1, it's always worse when you're not at the game. I'm still not 100 per cent but I can't wait to be back in the dugout on Tuesday night."

Coughlan was forced to make one change at the weekend as Mickey Spillane came into midfield for the injured Danny Mayor, who will be assessed, and Sturrock will be hard pushed to make any changes following the impressive three points.

Midfielder Marc Laird (hamstring) is back in training while Gavin Tomlin (thigh) could join him towards the end of this week, although the midweek game comes too soon for both. Defenders Mark Phillips (broken toe) and Chris Barker (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Brennan Dickenson is an injury doubt for the hosts.

The on-loan Brighton winger scored the Dons' second goal in their 3-2 win over York on Saturday but was forced off just after the hour mark with a hamstring strain and was replaced by Kevin Sainte-Luce.

Left-back Chris Hussey could return after missing out at the weekend through illness, although Jonathan Meades impressed in his place having recovered from an ankle knock.

Curtis Osano is pushing for a return to the squad after a spell out with a calf injury but fellow defenders Jim Fenlon (back) and Will Antwi (hip) are still on the sidelines along with midfielder Peter Sweeney, who has a foot injury.