Fleetwood vs Southend preview
Friday 5 April 2019 11:11, UK
Fleetwood could have Craig Morgan available for their Sky Bet League One clash with Southend on Saturday.
The centre-back missed the 1-0 win at Accrington last weekend with a knock while the game will come too soon for Dean Marney, who has recently returned to training.
Midfielder Jason Holt was stretched off in the first half against Stanley and the extent of his injury remains unknown. Manager Joey Barton will also be without midfielder James Wallace, who remains in recovery from a back problem.
Southend are likely to be without winger Stephen McLaughlin. McLaughlin has had a calf problem and is expected to be out for another week or so while Tom Hopper remains injured.
Striker Stephen Humphrys could be close to a return. The striker sustained a broken nose and fractured cheekbone in late February and has returned to fitness sessions, although not full-contact training. New manager Kevin Bond will take charge of Southend for the first time on Saturday as his side look to end their run of 12 matches without a win.
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Fleetwood have never won a home game against Southend, with their first four meetings ending level (L1).
Southend won on their previous visit to Highbury last season, with four different Southend players on the scoresheet, Simon Cox opening the scoring after just two minutes.
Fleetwood have won their last two games and are looking to record three consecutive wins in all competitions for the first time under Joey Barton.
Kevin Bond will take charge of his first game as a manager since August 2008, when his Bournemouth side were beaten 3-1 by Port Vale in the fourth tier.
Paddy Madden has had a hand in 21 goals in League One this season (14 goals and seven assists); the most of any Fleetwood player.
