Rovers defender Tom Parkes will return from suspension in the midweek encounter.
The former Leicester centre-back had to sit out Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup first round defeat to Sheffield United after being sent off against AFC Wimbledon.
Parkes is likely to be the only extra body available to Mark McGhee this week with a number of his injured players still a few weeks away from a return.
Former Exeter duo Matt Gill and Danny Woodards are still on the sidelines while Cian Bolger will return in a month.
"Now we're starting to get a better squad, we'll start getting better results," McGhee told the Bristol Evening Post. "By Christmas, I'm expecting our injury setbacks to be behind us and that I'll be able to field a very strong team."
Southend welcome back Britt Assombalonga while fellow loan signing Tamika Mkandawire is in line for his debut.
Leading scorer Assombalonga, with nine goals to his name this season, was denied permission by parent club Watford to feature in Saturday's 3-0 win over Stockport in the first round of the FA Cup.
Millwall midfielder Mkandawire arrived on loan on Friday but he was also not given clearance to play in the cup-tie.
Ryan Cresswell is waiting on a verdict from Southend's medical team as to whether he can be involved having been forced off midway through the first half with a loss of vision in his right eye following a clash of heads.
Defensive replacement Luke Prosser will miss the match at the Memorial Stadium after picking up his fifth booking of the season, meaning he now serves an automatic one-match ban.
