Town manager Jim Magilton is considering giving new loan signing Gary Roberts his first start when the Blues travel to Roots Hall to take on Southend on Saturday. Roberts impressed as a late sub during Tuesday's 3-2 home defeat to Preston, having only signed a three-month deal earlier in the day.

Magilton has high hopes for the Accrington Stanley left winger, who is expected to move permanently in January for a fee in the £150,000-£200,000 range, and is considering throwing him in at the deep end: “Gary is in my thoughts to start at Roots Hall.

“It was only a cameo appearance but it showed what he can provide and along with his knack for goals he's a player who can make a difference to us.

“Had we left it until January and the new transfer window to sign him there would have been a queue of clubs.

Town are again without midfielders Gavin Williams (groin) and Owen Garvan (post-viral syndrome), although the Welshman is understood to be ahead of schedule after his recent surgery.

Skipper Jason De Vos suffered a dead leg in training on Thursday but Magilton expects the Canadian to be fit enough to line-up at the heart of the defence: “Jason took a knock and he is a concern at the moment.

"Knowing Jason as I do though, I think he will be OK for Southend and we will give him all the time he needs to prove his fitness."

If De Vos fails to make it, then Richard Naylor will return alongside Alex Bruce. Fabian Wilnis might have been another centre-half option, but with Sito not included in the squad, there is no alternative right-back to the Dutchman. Ian Miller, Town's recent central defensive recruit from Bury Town, is also omitted from the 18-man squad.

Magilton says he doesn't want to make too many changes, despite the team's second half collapse against Preston: “The guys that started the other night were very good for 50 minutes. They more than held their own and I want to get as close as I can to a settled side.

“Preston showed with their shape and discipline what a settled side can do for you and that's what we are striving for here.”

That might signal that Lewis Price retains his place in goal having conceded eight goals in his last two games, although Shane Supple continues to push him for his position.

If De Vos is fine, then Magilton is likely to stick with his back four despite their recent goals against record.

In midfield, Sylvain Legwinski and Mark Noble did well for the most part but tired as the second half wore on. Jaime Peters, without a Town game since mid-August prior to Tuesday, also looked weary towards the end but again showed his promise. The Canadian youngster should keep his place.

Magilton's main choice appears to be whether to continue with Matt Richards on the left or give Roberts his full debut. Right winger Martin Brittain is not named in the travelling party.

Up front, Alan Lee is again likely to be joined by Jon Macken, who will want to build on his first Town goal against his former club Preston. Billy Clarke is likely to be introduced as a sub at some stage in the second half. There is no place in the squad for Darryl Knights, despite six goals in his last three reserve games.

Former Norwich defender Spencer Prior is a concern for Southend after injuring his shin in the midweek 1-1 draw at Burnley. Peter Clarke, on loan from Blackpool, will deputise if Prior fails to make it.

Winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who impressed Portman Road when a Rotherham player a couple of years back, should return after limping out of the warm-up at Turf Moor. Nigerian international centre-half Efe Sodje is expected to return from an achilles problem and Che Wilson, another former Canary, should be in contention after a calf injury.

Ex-Manchester City striker Lee Bradbury has hip and thigh problems and is unlikely to be considered.

Shrimpers' boss Steve Tilson says he wants his side out of the relegation zone as soon as possible: "The quicker we can get out of the bottom three from a psychological point of view the better.

"But we might be in there for the whole of the season and get out in the last few games. I don't know because I don't have a crystal ball.

"Leeds United are second from bottom and Hull are bottom of the league and their wage bill will be double or treble of what ours is, so they will be panicking more than I am."

Saturday's referee is Clive Penton from Sussex who has shown 35 yellow and three red cards in his 10 games so far this season. His last Town match was 1-1 home draw with Sheffield United in January.

Squad: Bowditch, Bruce, Clarke, Currie, De Vos, Harding, Lee, Legwinski, Macken, Naylor, Noble, Peters, Price, Richards, Roberts, Supple, Walton, Wilnis.

Photo: Action Images

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