City Missing Anchormen

Ian Ashbee - doubtful

Ashbee is struggling with a hamstring injury, while Keates is still out with an ankle injury. Damien Delaney is expected to continue in central midfield, with Steve Melton possibly coming back into the side to partner him. Justin Whittle is also set for a recall after impressing as a substitute last week.

Alan Fettis will be hoping to play for the first time since re-signing, but Paul Musselwhite may keep hold of the goalkeeper's jersey after claiming a clean sheet against York last week.

Forward Daniel Webb will be out to prove Southend wrong for letting him move to City in December if selected to play, but Peter Taylor also has Jamie Forrester, Stuart Elliott, Phil Jevons and Lawrie Dudfield fit.

Expected line-up (4-4-2): Fettis; Joseph, Whittle, Anderson, Holt; Regan, Green, Delaney, Williams; Forrester, Elliott.
Subs: Musselwhite, Melton, Dudfield, Jevons, Webb.