Southend v Accrington preview

Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Southend and Accrington Stanley at Roots Hall.

Ryan Cresswell and Gavin Tomlin face late fitness tests ahead of Southend's opening home clash. Both defender Cresswell and forward Tomlin are struggling with groin complaints and face a race against time to be fit for the league opener. Striker Neil Harris is also a doubt after limping off with a calf injury in Tuesday's disappointing 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat to Peterborough. Manager Paul Sturrock was naturally disappointed with the midweek reverse but is giving each of his squad a fresh chance to impress this weekend. "It is a clean slate on Saturday against Accrington Stanley," he told the club's official website. "We need a bit of confidence and it is amazing what a win can do to boost that." Barry Corr (groin) and midfielder Michael Timlin (shoulder) continue to sit out. Meanwhile, Padraig Amond is expected to receive international clearance in time to make his Accrington return. The Irish forward picked up Stanley's Supporters' Player of the Year award while on-loan at the Crown Ground from Pacos de Ferreira last term and boss Paul Cook moved to secure the 24-year-old's services earlier this week following his release from the Portuguese outfit. Amond could be in line for a start up-front alongside Karl Sheppard in attack, although a place among the substitutes might be more likely. Reading loanee Sheppard was one of six debutants in Stanley's Capital One Cup defeat to Carlisle last weekend and midfield duo Bohan Dixon and Ryan Watson, the latter on loan from Wigan, are hopeful of making their bows on Saturday. Cook's only injury doubt is centre-back Dean Winnard, who missed out against the Cumbrians due to a minor hamstring problem.