Southend are without the services of Tamika Mkandawire.
The midfielder has returned to parent club Millwall following the end of his loan spell but the club remain hopeful of a deal for Marc Laird.
Laird's loan also expired following the New Year's Day defeat to Gillingham and he returned to Leyton Orient but could feature if terms are agreed in time.
Mark Phillips is hoping he can earn a recall to the side after coming off the bench last weekend following his recovery from a knee problem.
Striker Neil Harris is back in full training following a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since September but he is not expected to return to action until the Essex Senior Cup next week.
Brentford boss Uwe Rosler has to make at least two changes to his squad.
Watford loanee Lee Hodson is ineligible to play in the competition and fellow defender Rob Kiernan has gone back to Wigan after his loan spell came to an end following Tuesday's goalless draw against Bournemouth.
But loanees Marcello Trotta, Jake Bidwell and Tom Adeyemi are all available to play.
Rosler will consider making further changes with one eye on their promotion bid, so Richard Lee could get a run-out in goal while Sam Saunders, Jake Reeves and Paul Hayes are in contention to start.
Midfielder Kevin O'Connor (ankle) and striker Farid El Alagui (knee) remain on the sidelines.
