Veteran Southend United goalkeeper Mark Prudhoe could be handed the task of shutting-out Third Division form-team Swansea City at Roots Hall.

Mel Capleton may cries off Saturday's game with an ankle injury. The Seasiders' first-choice shot-stopper has failed to train all week, which may open the door for 36-year-old Prudhoe, who Southend boss Alan Little has asked Shrimpers fans to support.

Both Blues goalies have endured costly mistake-ridden seasons so far, but Prudhoe's clangers have made him a target for the Roots Hall boo-boys, which Little said must stop!

"If Mel fails to pull through then Mark will play tomorrow and I hope our crowd will give him their full backing," added Little today (Friday).

"In the past Mark has been abused by people during the pre-match warm-up before he has even kicked a ball, which is unfair, but I'm sure our real fans will give him their support."

Rearguard solidity has been top of the agenda at Blues' training ground this week as the Shrimpers chief attempts to plot the downfall of the high-flying Swans.

"We need to cut-out the silly goals we've been conceding and build our play around a strong defensive foundation, which is what we've been working at over the last few days," explained Little.

Swansea arrive at Roots Hall on a red-hot run of form, having clocked up a club record nine league victories in succession, which has nudged the Welshmen into the automatic promotion zone in third position.

However, Little, whose men have tasted success just once in 13 outings and have failed to win any of their previous seven home fixtures, believes his men can tear up the form book tomorrow.

"Swansea are on a good run at the moment, but it can't go on forever and we are more than capable of shooting them down," he said.

"We are long overdue a victory at Roots Hall, but they will be confident of coming here and getting a result so something's got to give, which will hopefully be in our favour."

Little, boosted by the return from suspension of ten-goal top-scorer Martin Carruthers and midfielder Mark Tinkler, has other injury problems ahead of Swansea's visit to the Essex coast.

Ever-present defender Martyn Booty is ruled out with knee ligament damage sustained on the training ground.

But groin injury victim, nine-goal striker Neil Tolson, is expected to start his first-game for three weeks, after having to be content with a place on the substitutes bench at Mansfield Town last Saturday.

Little refused to reveal the line-up which would take to the Roots Hall pitch against Swansea, but confirmed that experienced defender Rob Newman and revitalised midfielder Kevin Maher were definite starters for Blues.

Southend (from): Capleton/Prudhoe, Jones, Beard, Coleman, Morley, Newman, Maher, Tinkler, Houghton, Carruthers, Tolson, Connelly, Roget, Fitzpatrick, Cross, Hails, Clarke, Campbell.

(Right) Mark Prudhoe - facing a call-up for Blues' Roots Hall clash with Swansea

(Left) Doubtful - Mel Capleton

Depleted Swans

Swansea City travel to Roots Hall for Saturday's Third Division fixture against Southend United struggling against both injury and suspension.

The third-placed Swans have a long list of unavailable players to contend with as they attempt to chalk-up an amazing tenth league success on the trot with a victory against the Shrimpers.

Central defender Matthew Bound begins a three-match suspension tomorrow and is joined on the sidelines by fellow stopper Kristian O'Leary, who is ruled out with ankle difficulties. Midfielder Damien Lacey also misses the match with foot trouble.

However, Swansea boss John Hollins has acted to try and ease the pressure on his defence by recruiting 19-year-old Leeds United youngster Kevin Evans on loan.

He also has the services of Jamaican international hitman Walter Boyd to call upon, despite his country being involved in the Gold Cup tournament overseas.

For the record

Last five league meetings:

Oct 1990 Blues 4-1 Swansea

Mar 1991 Swansea 1-4 Blues

Sep 1998 Swansea 3-1 Blues

Mar 1999 Blues 2-0 Swansea

Aug 1999 Swansea 3-1 Blues

Form book - Swansea's last five games:

Home - Maccelsfield: 1-0

Away - Exeter: 0-2 (AWS)

Home - Hartlepool: 2-1

Away - Peterborough: 3-2

Home - Plymouth: 1-0

Dangerman: Walter Boyd - Jamaican hitman who is a natural goalscorer.

Top scorer: Walter Boyd/Jason Price - six goals.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.