Southend United skipper Simon Coleman is expecting a hot reception when Blues visit his former club Mansfield Town for a crunch Third Division clash at Field Mill tomorrow.

The defender returns to his old stomping ground with Southend attempting to ease their relegation worries by picking up a second consecutive away win against the promotion-chasing Stags.

"This will be the first time I've been back to Mansfield for a league game since I left 10 years ago and I'm looking forward to it," admitted Coleman.

The 30-year-old served his apprenticeship with Mansfield, clocking up more than 100 league and cup appearances, before joining Middlesbrough for £500,000.

"The only time I've ever been back there was in a pre-season friendly when I was at Sheffield Wednesday and I got a fair bit of stick off the crowd," he said.

"But I take that as a compliment and it will be good to make a competitive return tomorrow and see a few old faces.

"My wife comes from Mansfield and I was born in Worksop, which is only 15 minutes away from Field Mill, so all my family and mates will be there to watch me.

"I just hope we put on another good performance, like the one which earnt us three points at Leyton Orient on Saturday, to lift us away from the bottom of the table."

New Southend boss Alan Little, who has just completed his first week in charge at Roots Hall, is confident his men can seal another priceless three points on their travels against the Stags.

"I watched Mansfield earlier in the season and I know they have weaknesses which we can exploit," he explained.

"All the boys are buzzing at the moment and we are going into this game very positively because we know we can get at them. I honestly believe we are capable of winning the rest of our games this season."

Blues are forced to make one change to their side, with defender Leo Roget beginning a two-match ban. Full-back Martyn Booty will be in the centre of defence as Rob Newman is still injured and West Ham loanee Chris Coyne is also suspended.

Southend (from): Capleton, Beard, Houghton, Morley, Coleman, Booty, Unger, Hodges, Campbell, Fitz-patrick, Patterson, Conlon, Livett, Clarke, McGavin, Margetson.

Picture, top: Simon Coleman - returning to Mansfield Town where he served his apprenticeship.

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