West Ham youngster Lee Hodges will be handed a baptism of fire in Southend United's bottom of the league dogfight with Hull City at Roots Hall.

The 21-year-old winger and his Hammers team mate, defender Chris Coyne, beat Thursday's transfer deadline by joining Blues on a month's loan from Upton Park.

Hodges, who has only featured in one Premier League match for West Ham this season as a playing substitute at Blackburn Rovers, is looking forward to linking up with his former Irons colleague, Shrimpers boss Alvin Martin, again.

"I'm grateful to Alvin for bringing me to Southend and while I'm here I hope I can help out both him and the team," Hodges said.

Southend wideman Scott Houghton has been sidelined with a groin strain and is out of this evening's action, which kicks-off at 7.45pm, so Hodges will definitely be given his chance to shine.

"I like to run with the ball and run past players and I'd like to think that I can introduce some attacking flair to Southend's team," he added.

"A big part of my game is creating chances for my team mates and hopefully I can open up Hull tonight and provide some openings for our forwards.

"I don't know a lot about Hull, but I know this game is very important to both them and Southend, so I will do what I can to make sure it is us who get the three points at stake."

Martin revealed he had decided to bring in 20-year-old Australian stopper Coyne, who has never featured in a first team game for West Ham, primarily as defensive cover.

The Blues chief's defenders have picked up a series of knocks with David Morley (back and hamstring) joining full-backs Andy Harris (hamstring) and Julian Hails (knee) on the crocked list.

More seriously, defensive rock Rob Newman is suffering from a hernia problem, but will make the starting line-up against Hull.

Martin would not admit that tonight's match against the struggling Tigers, with Blues sitting only nine points adrift of bottom spot in the league table, is a crunch relegation six-pointer.

"I don't want to think negatively, with a few wins and we will climb straight back up the table," he said.

Southend (from): Capleton, Beard, Booty, Newman, Roget, Coleman, Maher, Unger, Roach, Conlon, Hodges, McGavin, Coyne, Fitzpatrick, Campbell, Burns, Livett, Margetson.

You're the one that I want - West Ham's Lee Hodges joins Alvin Martin's squad for a month's loan, beginning with a crunch relegation battle against Hull

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