New Southend United striker Neil Tolson is looking forward to finally making his home debut for the Seasiders this weekend when Roots Hall plays host to a four-team tournament.

Blues will be joined by Premier League outfit Watford, Essex adversaries Colchester and Third Division rivals Peterborough United in the competition which is being played on Saturday and Sunday.

Southend face ex-Shrimpers boss Barry Fry's Peterborough team at 3.30pm following Watford's clash with Colchester at 1pm.

The winners of both games then play in a grand final on Sunday at 3.30pm, with the two losers contesting a third place play-off at 1pm.

Tolson, who recently joined Blues on a free transfer from York City, is only concerned with Saturday's match against Peterborough and the chance to show Southend's fans what he can do.

"I want to go out there and put on a good performance for the Southend supporters," said the 25-year-old hitman, who has been sidelined by an ankle injury for most of the Shrimpers' pre-season fixtures.

"I played 20 minutes at Purfleet on Wednesday night with my ankle strapped up and I feel fine. Now I need to go out and see how it copes with another game for a longer period.

"These pre-season matches are all about fitness and I feel that I'm a little bit behind the rest of the lads, but this tournament will give me the ideal opportunity to make up for lost time."

Blues boss Alan Little believes the Roots Hall tournament is an event not to be missed by local football fans.

"This competition will give my players a tough workout and at the same time provide a good spectacle for spectators," he said.

"Anybody that visits Roots Hall this weekend will be able to see four professional football clubs in action on the same day, which is great value for money."

Admission to Roots Hall is £6 for adults and £2 for children per day, which allows entrants to watch two games.

One new face who could figure for Blues over the weekend is a 21-year-old trialist from Bradford City.

Neil Tolson - home debut at last

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