Shrimpers Head to SN1

Both Swindon and Southend prepared for this fixture with League Cup ties at Premier League clubs. After eliminations it's back to the bread and butter...

Danny Wilson welcomes Celtic loan duo Ben Hutchinson and Simon Ferry to the squad. Both are likely to start from the bench.

Francis Laurent and John White's returns from injury means Steve Tilson has a full strength squad to choose from.

Lescinel Jean-Francois missed the Wolves clash through injury so Callum Kennedy could deputise or indeed keep him out of the starting XI on Saturday.

Scott Cuthbert is also battling it out with Sean Morrison for that final centre back slot beside Gordon Greer

Paynter will no doubt love to score against his former club. Now there is extra service available he can add to his one league goal so far.

Southend United go into this fixture having drawn all four of their league games thus far...

Southend United 2-2 Huddersfield Town
Walsall 2-2 Southend United
Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Southend United
Southend United 0-0 Millwall

Matt Heath could play his final game for the Shrimpers as his loan deal expires. Managerless Colchester United could opt to recall him.

As a youngster at Tottenham Hotspur he was once a target for ex-Swindon boss Andy King.

Barnard has four goals in all competitions so far this season and will no doubt try and make a pest of himself on Saturday.

Also, former Town goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall will want to impress on his return to the County Ground.

Last Fixture

Swindon Town 3-0 Southend United

In recent years our Essex friends have been something of a bogey team for Swindon.

This game ended a streak and six straight losses for Swindon against Southend (in all competitions) from 2005 until this victory in 2009.

This 3-0 win was crucial, Town had only collected 2 points in their previous six fixtures and appeared to be heading for League Two.

On loan midfielder Hal Robson-Kanu (who had spent time at Southend earlier in the season) gave Swindon Town the lead after 13 minutes and it was followed six minutes later by a Simon Cox penalty. Cox converted a second penalty in injury time to earn Town the 3-0 win.

Swindon went on to win our next two games against Hereford United (3-0) and the exciting but nerve-wracking 4-3 win at Northampton Town... This run of wins played a major part in our survival from relegation.

Last 5 Meetings

17/03/09: STFC 3-0 SUFC
18/10/08: SUFC 2-1 STFC
24/03/08: STFC 0-1 SUFC
08/12/07: SUFC 2-1 STFC
27/01/06: SUFC 2-0 STFC

Played For Both Clubs

Garry Nelson played 129 times for Southend United before Ken Beamish paid £10,000 for his services in 1983. His first campaign is remembered as co-inciding with Swindon`s worst league finish in their history a measly 17th in the Fourth Division. After 79 appearances and 7 goals Nelson left for Plymouth Argyle for £15,000.

Nelson went to write the acclaimed books 'Left Foot Forward' and 'Left Foot in the Grave'.

Paul Sturrock paid Southend an undisclosed amount for Billy Paynter in August 2007. Paynter endured a torrid spell at Roots Hall with the Liverpudlian unable to find form or fitness during his brief United career.

Swindon born Steve Mildenhall played 33 league games for his hometown club before forging a decent Football League career with Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Grimsby Town, Yeovil Town and

DRAW.

Town travel to Yeovil Town on Saturday September 5th.

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