Southend United host Bolton Wanderers in a EFL League Two game this Saturday at 15:00 GMT.
The Blues sit unsteadily in 22nd after climbing out of the relegation last weekend whilst the Trotters are comfortable in 11th, five points away from a play-off position.
Both teams are coming to Roots Hall in positive spirits after Mark Molesley’s men earned a point at top of the league Cambridge United whilst Ian Evatt’s team defeated Mansfield Town 3-2 in an extraordinary comeback.
Team news
Nile Ranger and Ricky Holmes signed for the Blues on Thursday but only Holmes will be available to play as Ranger is still recovering from a foot injury.
Simeon Akinola picked up a knock last week but is seemingly fit to be involved against the Trotters.
Alan McCormack is back after playing 45-minutes in a game behind closed doors earlier this week whilst Terrell Egbri and James Olayinka will not be fit for this particular fixture.
As for Bolton, captain Antoni Sarcevic will be available for selection after returning to full fitness.
Predicted lineups
Southend: Oxley; Clifford, Hobson, White, Bwomono; Nathaniel-George, Fergurson, Dieng, Taylor, Holmes; Akinola.
Bolton; Gilks; Jones, Santos, Baptiste, John; Lee, Thomason; Maddison, Sarcevic, Afolayan; Doyle.
Form guide
Southend are yet to lose this month defeating play-off candidates Newport County and drawing at Abbey Road; however, four consecutive losses before this means that it is hard to say the Blues have had a resurgence in form.
Bolton have not lost in their last four fixtures winning games against Leyton Orient, Stevenage and Mansfield whilst also drawing to Morecambe. Their away form is almost as impressive, only one loss in their last five makes trips makes for a formidable group of travellers.
Ones to watch
With Holmes just signing for his boyhood club this week, the 33-year-old will be eager to impress on his potential debut.
The winger, who has tons of EFL experience as well as a natural eye for goal, will fit straight into procedures this Saturday and will be running relentlessly at the opposition defence.
Antoni Sarcevic
Bolton’s captain is back after his recent absence and will be raring to get back to impressing on the pitch.
The midfielder, who has accumulated seven goal involvements this season, leads not just vocally but by example as well.
Previous meetings
In the reverse fixture Bolton dissembled Southend 3-0 at the University of Bolton Stadium.
An Eoin Doyle brace as well as a Nathan Delfouneso goal were the deciding factors in a game where, ultimately, the Trotters dominated from start to finish.
How to watch
The match is available on iFollow via Southend’s or Bolton’s respective club websites, with match passes at £10 for those in the United Kingdom. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00.