Town have given Southend permission to field on-loan left-back Dan Harding in Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Cheltenham. The former Brighton and Leeds man joined the Shrimpers on a half-season loan earlier in the week.

Harding made his debut in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Peterborough and was pleased with how his spell has started: "It was a tight game but fortunately we have managed to come away with the win.

"Peterborough are a team expected to do well, it was a close encounter but we have shown we can win those sort of games.

"They had the lad on the left hand side who cheated a bit, but as a team we defended well and we got what we deserved.

"All the lads made me feel really welcome and it was enjoyable to win as I thought we played well.

"What I have heard from other players and teams, and I have even spoken to other managers about Southend, everyone came back with only good things to say about the club.

"For me it was an easy decision because I am coming here and playing football which is what I want to do."

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