City are back in midweek action this evening - travelling to Roots Hall to face Southend United in Sky Bet League Two (7.00pm).
The Shrimpers sit bottom of the table - winning five, drawing five and losing 14 so far this season. Mark Moseley’s side are the league’s lowest scorers - netting 15 times.
We have created this Opposition Guide to take you through all of the key information about Tuesday evening’s hosts.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Southend have made six new additions to their squad in the January transfer window, with three players heading out of the exit door.
INS (since summer): Simeon Akinola (Barnet), Alan McCormack (Northampton Town), , Shaun Hobson (Bournemouth), Ashley Nathaniel-George (Crawley Town), James Olayinka (Arsenal, loan), Jordan Green (Barnsley, loan), Harry Kyprianou (Bromley, recalled from loan), Reeco Hackett-Fairchild (Portsmouth, loan), Sam Hart (unassigned), Greg Halford (unassigned), Louis Walsh (unassigned).
OUTS (since summer): Sam Mantom (Rushall), Stephen McLaughlin (Mansfield Town), Sam Barratt (Maidenhead), Theo Robinson (Port Vale), Joe Shaughnessy (St. Mirren), Mark Milligan (Macarthur), Stephen Humphrys (Rochdale), Isaac Hutchinson (Derby County), Charlie Kelman (QPR), Luke Hyam (released), Kazaiah Sterling (Tottenham Hotspur, recalled from loan), Kyle Taylor (Bournemouth, recalled from loan), Matt Rush (Tonbridge Angels, loan).
ONES TO WATCH
Greg Halford
Halford signed for Mark Moseley’s side on a short-term deal on December 15, and made his debut for the club later that day against Grimsby Town - scoring the final goal in a 3-1 win.
After an impressive first few weeks with the Shrimpers, he earned a new contract - keeping him in Essex until the end of the season.
The 36-year old defender has played for 16 different clubs throughout his career, including notable spells for Colchester United, Wolves, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest.
Alan McCormack
Experienced midfielder Alan McCormack has racked up over 492 professional appearances across England in Scotland, scoring 27 goals and registering 22 assists.
The Irishman helped Northampton Town to promotion to Sky Bet League One last season and signed for Southend in the summer. He has clocked up over 150 appearances for the Blues across four different spells with the club.
Simeon Akinola
Akinola is a product of the Boreham Wood academy - turning out for the Hertfordshire-based side over 20 times.
The Nigerian-born striker signed for Southend in September 2020. The 28-year old has scored twice for the league’s bottom side so far this season.
THE CAPTAIN
Sheffield-born goalkeeper Mark Oxley has made 151 appearances for the Blues since joining in 2016, keeping 39 clean sheets in the process.
The 30-year-old came through the youth ranks at Rotherham United before later permanent spells with Hull City and Hibernian. During his time with Hibs, he won the Scottish Cup in 2016.
THE MANAGER
39-year-old Mark Molesley was appointed Southend United manager on August 13, penning a three-year deal with the club.
Molesley was previously in a managerial position with Weymouth - where he achieved promotion to the National League in the 2019/20 campaign - securing a win over Dartford in the play-off final.
LAST TIME OUT
The Shrimpers fell to a 1-0 defeat to Mansfield Town at Roots Hall on Saturday afternoon, keeping them from within a point of safety.
Southend United 0
Mansfield Town 1 (Reid 64’)
Saturday January 23
Southend: Oxley, Bwomono (Clifford 45'), White, Hobson, Hart, Dieng, McCormack (Nathaniel-George 59'), Taylor, Hackett-Fairchild, Halford (Acquah 73'), Akinola.