Injuries and one-match suspensions have given Southend United manager Alan Little a selection headache ahead of Saturday's Third Division fixture at Mansfield Town.

The Blues boss, already without banned duo, ten-goal top-scorer Martin Carruthers and midfielder Mark Tinkler, is keeping his fingers crossed that a host of crocked players pull through for the trip to Field Mill.

Front-runners Neil Campbell (back) and Neil Tolson (groin) are both doubtful, as are defenders, skipper Simon Coleman (leg muscle) and Garry Cross (back).

"We've got a few problems and I will delay naming my starting line-up until as late as possible," said Little, who is toying with the idea of fielding defender David Morley as an emergency targetman.

"Campbell, Coleman and Tolson have resumed training during the last few days and I'm hopeful that they'll all be able to play their part against Mansfield."

However, Little did confirm that Kevin Maher would be handed a vital role in central midfield, only his third start of the season.

"Kevin has shown tremendous character and guts to fight his way back into my plans and he deserves his chance tomorrow," Little added.

"He hasn't featured much in the first-team this term, but he has knuckled down in the reserves and his attitude has been top-class.

"It's also nice to hear that the supporters want Kevin to play, because he came in for a bit of stick last season, but the fans have reacted positively to his new found form."

Little, however, warned his players that whoever lines up at Mansfield will need to continue performing at the level which Southend reached in their second-half wondershow against Rochdale last Saturday.

Trailing by three goals before the interval at Roots Hall, Southend battered their rivals into submission during a pulsating second period, clawing back the deficit to grab an unexpected share of the spoils.

"We need to approach the Mansfield match with the same endeavour and commitment we displayed in the second-half against Rochdale," Little said.

"But this time we need to perform to this level straight from the kick-off and not give our opposition a 45-minute headstart. Rochdale couldn't cope with us as we fought back last Saturday and we need to hit Mansfield in the same way - hard!"

Another two forwards, Trevor Fitzpatrick and Neville Roach, also have knocks, but are definitely out of contention.

Southend (from): Capleton, Booty, Jones, Newman, Roget, Connelly, Beard, Maher, Campbell, Morley, Houghton, Coleman, Tolson, Cross, Hails, Clarke, Kerrigan, Johnson, Abiodun, Prudhoe.

Out - top goalscorer Martin Carruthers

(Left) Out - midfielder Mark Tinkler

Mansfield boss in same boat

Mansfield Town's preparations for the visit of Southend United to Field Mill tomorrow have been hit by a defensive crisis.

Stags' skipper David Linighan has been ruled out with an injured wrist and fellow rearguard lynchpin, Neil Richardson, has undergone the surgeon's knife today to clean up a knee-cartilage problem.

On the attacking front, Mansfield are expected to wrap up a deal for loan-forward Chris Greenacre today, who has formed a fine strike partnership with experienced hitman Tony Lormor after joining the Field Mill setup from Manchester City.

Mansfield (from): Bowling, Andrews, Bromby, Asher, Clarke, Blake, Sissons, Williams, Lormor, Boulding, Greenacre, Gibson, Tallon, Kerr, Roscoe, Cowling.

For the record

Last five league meetings:

Sep 1990 Mansfield 0-1 Blues

Mar 1991 Blues 2-1 Mansfield

Oct 1998 Blues 1-2 Mansfield

Apr 1999 Mansfield 0-0 Blues

Aug 1999 Blues 1-0 Mansfield

Form book - Mansfield's last five games:

Away - Cheltenham: 0-1

Home - Blackpool: 0-1 (AWS)

Away - York: 1-0

Home - Torquay: 4-3

Away - Hull: 0-2

Dangerman: Michael Sisson - buzzing young midfielder.

Top scorers: Chris Greenacre and Tony Lormor - five goals.

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