Southend United manager Alan Little has urged his side to hit the Wembley trail in this evening's Auto Windscreens Shield tie against Cheltenham Town.

This competition, exclusive to Second and Third Division teams, is frowned upon by many clubs, but Little said his men would be taking this first round clash at Roots Hall seriously.

"This competition doesn't generally attract much interest in the early rounds, but if you win a few games then people start to take notice because a Wembley final is just around the corner," he said.

"I've been to Wembley with my previous club York City in the Third Division play-offs, which was a wonderful experience and I'd love to go back there.

"It would be great for everyone connected with Southend United to reach a Wembley final and that is what all my players will be trying to achieve, starting tonight."

However, the Blues boss admitted his team are desperate for a victory, following a run of four matches without a win in the league.

"We were unlucky to go down 3-1 at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, following a committed effort from the lads in a game which could have swung either way," Little said.

"Now we need to do the same tonight by getting our tackles in among Cheltenham right from the kick-off and showing our fans that we're up to the task."

One definite absentee for Southend is winger Scott Houghton, who has a calf injury, and young full-back Garry Cross, who has a groin strain.

However, Little was keeping his cards close to his chest regarding team-selection, although he admitted he was considering one or two minor tweaks to his line-up.

League new boys Cheltenham arrive in town for their first match ever at Roots Hall with no major injury worries and on the back of a tight defensive run.

The Robins have only lost one of their previous eight Third Division matches and have not conceded a goal in their last four outings.

Southend (from): Capleton, Booty, Beard, Morley, Roget, Coleman, Tinkler, Connelly, Tolson, Carruthers, Campbell, Johnson, Roach, Kerrigan, Newman, Fitzpatrick, Jones, Clarke, Prudhoe.

Cheltenham (from): Book, Howarth, Freeman, Banks, Victory, Duff, Yates, Howells, Milton, Grayson, McAuley, Brough, Bloomer, Brissett, Higgs, Jackson.

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