Influential midfielder Kevin Maher could make a surprise return to Southend United's starting line-up at Carlisle tonight.

The 25-year-old has been out of action for more than a month with a toe injury, but he is set to pull his boots back on for the Shrimpers' longest trip of the season.

"It will be great to get back involved with the rest of the lads again -- I'm really looking forward to it," said Maher, who was recently the subject of a £20,000 bid from Blues' Third Division rivals Leyton Orient.

"The last few weeks have driven me mad. I've hated not being in the team and having to watch games from the stand.

"I've always been pretty lucky with injuries and to be sidelined for so long by something as small as a toe problem has been very frustrating.

"But I'm raring to get stuck in again. I've been doing a lot of running over the last week and I'm feeling fairly good, but I won't know just how fit I am until I get on to the pitch."

Blues are 14th in Division Three -- five places and seven points above the Border City club -- and travel north looking for their first away win in nearly three months.

Winger Mark Rawle (groin) is not expected to travel to Brunton Park, so Maher could be handed an instant recall, with Brian Barry-Murphy switching to the left of midfield.

Full-back Mark Beard is added to the squad after completing a three match ban, but wideman Steven Clark (knee) is again ruled out.

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Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002