Southend United boss Alan Little was keeping his cards close to his chest before naming his side for the Third Division trip to Barnet on Saturday.

However, the Blues chief admitted that he will be making changes to his team before the Seasiders make their first ever visit to Underhill for league points.

"I'll be making a few changes to the team which lost 4-1 at home to Brentford in our previous match," Little revealed. "But I want to keep Barnet guessing so I won't be saying who will be coming into the side yet."

Little has urged his men to put their disastrous display against promotion-chasing Brentford firmly behind them by securing the single point which will ensure league survival against Barnet.

"It is still mathematically possible for us to slide into the Conference so we need to put on a professional performance against Barnet," said the manager.

"Our display against Brentford was very poor and we need to get that out of our systems straight away. The league's bottom club Scarborough are nine points behind us, with three games to play, so they can still catch us.

"But our destiny is in our own hands and if we can get a win or a draw at Underhill we can walk off the pitch knowing our position in the Football League is safe, regardless of other results."

Little is confident his men can continue their excellent run of away form at mid-table Barnet.

"We've done well in our last three away games, winning two and drawing one without conceding a goal, which is something we are capable of building on against Barnet," he added.

"They are out of relegation danger now and are sitting in a comfortable position, so it is up to us to go there with the greater desire and return with the three points."

Full-back turned central defender Martyn Booty will make an immediate return to Southend's three-man central defence after sitting out a one-match ban.

West Ham loanee Chris Coyne, who Little had planned to employ in central midfield tomorrow, has been recalled to Upton Park as defensive cover for injured England star Rio Ferdinand and crocked team-mate Ian Pearce.

The Hammers have extended the loan of tricky winger Lee Hodges for Blues' final two games.

Little has also added striker Alex Burns and midfielder Kevin Maher to his squad following their goalscoring performances in a 5-1 practice match win against non-league Witham Town.

Assistant boss Mick Gooding, Adrian Clarke and Trevor Fitzpatrick scored the other goals.

Southend (from): Capleton, Beard, Houghton, Booty, Coleman, Morley, Roget, Maher, Livett, Hodges, Conlon, McGavin, Roach, Burns, Clarke, Margetson.

Barnet (from): Harrison, Stockley, Sawyers, Basham, Heald, Arber, Searle, Doolan, Charlery, McGleish, Wilson, Manuel, Barnes, Currie, Hackett.

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