Southend United striker Tes Bramble was expected to make his comeback in the Shrimpers' reserves against Barnet at Roots Hall today.

The 22-year-old frontman has missed Blues' last four Third Division outings with a combination of illness and injury.

And new Southend manager Steve Wignall said he hoped 11-goal forward Bramble, who has had a stomach bug and groin problem, would face Barnet's second-string in a game which kicked off at 2pm.

"Tes wasn't quite ready for the Easter weekend programme, but he has been training and we want him to get a run out in the reserves this afternoon," said Wignall.

"There are a lot of players I need to look at before the season finishes and Tes is one of those so we need to get him fit."

The Shrimpers chief was also keeping his fingers-crossed that 22-year-old defender Stephen Broad, who can play at centre-half or right-back, would feature after recovering from a hamstring problem.

"Stephen has resumed training as well and I'm hoping he will also play against Barnet as he is another player I need to see in action," Wignall added.

Bramble and Broad are out of contract at the end of the season and with just two Third Division games left - at home to Bury and away to Exeter City - both players are running out of opportunities to prove their worth to the new man in charge.

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Published Wednesday, April 23, 2003

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