Peterborough have a handful of injury absentees to contend with.
Summer signing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (hamstring), Daniel Kearns (knee) and Tommy Rowe (collar bone), along with long-term injury victim David Hibbert, will miss Posh's first competitive game of the campaign after sustaining injuries during the club's pre-season preparations.
Hibbert is nearing a return to fitness having not featured for the club since suffering a dislocated knee in November 2010.
The striker has since undergone a complete knee reconstruction.
Posh were without Tyrone Barnett, who completed his £1million-plus move to London Road from Crawley over the summer, for their final warm-up match against a Manchester United XI on Friday night, but the striker is expected to recover from a slight hamstring problem to put himself in contention against the Shrimpers.
Transfer-listed trio George Boyd, Nicky Ajose - the goalscorers during the 2-0 win over the Manchester United XI - and Grant McCann are available for selection.
Southend are battling a host of injury concerns ahead of the game.
Manager Paul Sturrock is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the identities of those facing a race against time to make it.
But striker Barry Corr (groin) and midfielder Michael Timlin (shoulder) are expected to sit out, while centre-back Ryan Cresswell (groin) and forward Gavin Tomlin (ankle) have both missed pre-season action of late.
"We have a few injury concerns ahead of the game so we will have to give them every opportunity to be fit," Sturrock told the club's official website. "I don't want to say at this time which players are touch and go but they will be given every chance.
"It will test our mettle on Tuesday but with the players we have injured I want them fit for Saturday as that is the more important one.
"I am a bit disappointed we have a few injuries for Tuesday night as I would have liked a settled team but it does give an opportunity to others."
