Southend v Macclesfield preview

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

Southend boss Paul Sturrock is not expecting any fresh injury or suspension issues ahead of the club's crunch clash at home. The Shrimpers will seal automatic promotion if they beat Macc and both Crawley and Torquay fail to win against Accrington and Hereford respectively, otherwise the Essex club will have to come through the play-offs. Sturrock made one change for last weekend's 2-0 victory at Oxford from the side who triumphed 3-0 against Barnet, Kane Ferdinand coming in for on-loan striker Freddy Eastwood, who will be itching for a return at Roots Hall. Long-term absentee Ryan Leonard could find himself on the bench having regained his fitness, with Christian Dailly (broken toe) and Blair Sturrock thought to be not far off in their recoveries. Liam Dickinson (ankle), JP Kalala and Barry Corr (both knee) are sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. Meanwhile, Glyn Chamberlain takes charge of his first game as caretaker manager of Macclesfield as the Cheshire club bow out of League Two this weekend. The Silkmen's 15-year stay in the Football League came to end after a 2-0 loss at home to Burton, with manager Brian Horton departing shortly afterwards. Chamberlain will hand late fitness checks to striker George Donnelly (hamstring), midfielder Tony Diagne (groin) and full-back Carl Tremarco before travelling to Roots Hall. On-loan Oldham striker Matt Smith is pushing for a start after appearing from the bench in the last two outings. Goalkeeper Steve Collis (shoulder), defender Paul Morgan, midfielder Dwayne Mattis (both ankle) and defender Elliott Hewitt (hip) are long-term absentees. Macclesfield's ability to sign out of League Two with a first victory in 23 attempts will be sorely tested as the Shrimpers push for the three points that could see them secure the final automatic promotion spot.