Southend United contract rebel Kevin Maher said his mind was fully focused on the job at hand as he prepared for tonight's big local derby clash at Leyton Orient.

The struggling east London outfit recently bid £20,000 for the midfielder, who further fuelled speculation of an imminent move to Brisbane Road by turning down a new Roots Hall deal.

But 25-year-old Maher, who would be available on a Bosman free transfer this summer, tried to play down the rumours ahead of this evening's battle.

"All I'm interested in is winning games for Southend, which includes the Orient match tonight," he said.

"There's been a lot of talk about me moving to Brisbane Road, but nothing has happened and I haven't spoken to them.

"I've turned down Blues' contract offer, but nothing's changed as I'm still very much a Southend player and I will continue to give everything I've got for the team.

"I'd even like to think the door is still open for me to stay at Roots Hall as I'm settled here and I don't want to leave.

"But the contract situation and joining Orient will be the last things on my mind tonight -- I just want to go to Brisbane Road and win.

"And I'm looking forward to seeing our former player Carl Hutchings again. I'll have to give him a good kick to remind him of his Southend days."

Shrimpers boss Rob Newman, whose side are unbeaten in four games, pleaded with Blues' fans to get behind his troops.

"We always take a good sized crowd to Orient and I hope we have the same passionate following tonight," he said.

"The fans have a massive part to play and their vocal support always gives us a huge boost at Brisbane Road.

"It is our one big local derby and there is a lot of pride at stake. We've had a fairly good record at Orient's ground over the past few seasons and hopefully it will continue."

Southend, without a goal for 227 minutes, are 12th in Division Three and travel to lowly Orient, who hold 21st spot in the League, nursing a striker crisis.

Top-scorer Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle and former O's hitman Tony Richards are all expected to miss out with groin injuries.

And Newman may be forced to start with midfielder Stuart Thurgood or towering defensive skipper Phil Whelan up front alongside his only recognised frontman Barrington Belgrave.

If Whelan is pushed into an emergency forward role, Stephen Broad should move into the centre of defence with Mark Beard taking his place at right-back.

Winger Steven Clark has been added to the squad, following six weeks on the sidelines with a knee problem.

And loan midfielders Brian Barry-Murphy and Ian Selley complete their loan spells this evening before returning to Preston and Wimbledon respectively.

Southend (from): Flahavan, Searle, Broad, Whelan, Cort, Barry-Murphy, Beard, Maher, Selley, Belgrave, Thurgood, Szmid, Newman, Forbes, Kerrigan, McSweeney, Johnson, Smith, Clark, Gay.

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Published Tuesday, March 12, 2002