Southend v Torquay preview

Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Southend and Torquay at Roots Hall.

Last Updated: 15/03/13 at 12:25   

Marc Laird: Back for Shrimpers

Marc Laird: Back for Shrimpers

Marc Laird is back in contention for Southend.

The midfielder has been training all week after recovering from a hamstring injury and is expected to be on the bench as the Shrimpers look to bounce back from the shock defeat to AFC Wimbledon in midweek.

Laird told the club's official website: "I feel fit and ready to play again so would love to be involved again, but it's up to the manager what he decides to do.

"I've trained all week and not had any reaction to the injury."

Defender Luke Prosser begins a two-match suspension after he picked up his 10th yellow card of the campaign in the 3-1 defeat to the Dons, while Danny Mayor has returned to Sheffield Wednesday after his loan spell expired.

Paul Sturrock remains without the injured Gavin Tomlin (thigh), Mark Phillips (broken toe) and Chris Barker (Achilles).

Torquay will be without two first-team regulars.

Striker Elliot Benyon is unable to feature under the terms of his loan deal from Southend while defender Aaron Downes serves the first of a two-game ban for his red card at Dagenham on Tuesday.

Reading loanee Angus MacDonald replaced the Australian after his early dismissal and the centre-back is set to get the nod from the start against the Shrimpers.

Gulls boss Alan Knill signed Sheffield United winger Jordan Chapell on loan until the end of the season on Wednesday and the former Burton loanee looks likely to be involved.

Midfielder Craig Easton looks set to miss out again with a problem in his calves. The Scot is making progress but remains some way from a first-team return.

Torquay make the trip two points above the relegation zone after Rene Howe's last-gasp penalty earned them a point against the Daggers on Tuesday.

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npower League 2

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Gillingham 46 27 83
2 Rotherham 46 15 79
3 Port Vale 46 35 78
4 Burton Alb 46 6 76
5 Cheltenham 46 7 75
6 Northamptn 46 9 73
7 Bradford 46 11 69
8 Chesterfld 46 15 67
9 Oxford Utd 46 -1 65
10 Exeter 46 1 64
11 Southend 46 6 61
12 Rochdale 46 -2 61
13 Fleetwood 46 -2 60
14 Bristol R 46 -9 60
15 Wycombe 46 -10 60
16 Morecambe 46 -6 58
17 York City 46 -10 55
18 Accrington 46 -17 54
19 Torquay 46 -7 53
20 AFC W'don 46 -22 53
21 Plymouth 46 -9 52
22 Dag + Red 46 -7 51
23 Barnet 46 -12 51
24 Aldershot 46 -18 48

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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