Southend will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to six games as they entertain lowly Swindon.
Harding suspended for Shrimpers, Malpas could ring changes
Southend will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to six games as they entertain lowly Swindon at Roots Hall.
Both teams need a result at different ends of the table - the Shrimpers sit just a point outside the play-off zone, while the Robins are a point above the drop zone.
But Southend boss Steve Tilson is set to be without on-loan Ipswich defender Dan Harding for the game.
The 24-year-old left-back was sent off in the 1-1 draw against Stockport last weekend and the Blues were unsuccessful in their appeal over the incident.
Harding must now serve a three-match ban which means he will also miss the matches against Scunthorpe and Bristol Rovers.
In his place, Tilson is likely to ask former Charlton defender Osei Sankofa to make his first appearance of the season after he came on last weekend following Harding's dismissal.
The Blues have doubts over experienced striker Dougie Freedman who has missed the last two matches with a thigh strain and faces a late fitness test.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall has returned to training after an ankle injury and is set to step up his rehabilitation in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Tottenham.
Robins news
Hasney Aljofree's return will provide a timely boost for Swindon's under-pressure boss Maurice Malpas.
Skipper Aljofree has missed the last two games through illness but will return against the Shrimpers having regained match fitness playing for the reserves in midweek.
Malpas claimed a host of starting spots were up for grabs for this game as he included several first-team players in the reserves' 2-1 win over Cheltenham on Tuesday.
Strikers Ben Joyce and Barry Corr both netted and will be pressing to be involved, while Pat Kanyuka, Sean Morrison and Jerel Ifil will all be competing for starting places at the back.
Malpas made it clear that strikers Simon Cox and Lee Peacock and defender Jack Smith will definitely start, but left-back Jamie Vincent is targeting a November return having undergone knee surgery.
