SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell is keen to end the Shrimpers’ wretched League Cup run tonight - but knows he must balance his starting line-up to succeed.

Blues host Brentford this evening in the first round of the Carabao Cup, where most teams tend to utilise their squad.

However, Powell wants the Shrimpers to secure their first win in the competition since 2010 while also making sure his side are still fresh for Saturday’s League One clash against Bradford City.

“You’ve got to have a bit of balance,” said Powell.

“Sometimes I understand you can think you need to change loads but, on the other hand, we’re playing well and sometimes you want to keep that momentum going even though we haven’t won.

“I want the momentum in terms of what we’re producing to continue because in time the results will come if we do.

“I have to balance it out because I want to be strong and competitive against Brentford but I definitely want my strongest team I have available to play against Bradford in the League on Saturday.”

Blues have picked up just one point from their first two League One games of the season and will now be looking to end a run of seven successive first round exits in the League Cup when they take on Brentford tonight.

The Bees finished ninth in the Championship last season and Powell would love to see the Shrimpers follow in their footsteps.

“Brentford are a very good team and a club we would like to emulate in many ways,” said Powell.

“The way they’ve adapted to the Championship, their recruitment, their style of football and they’re also looking to move to a new stadium, like us.

“I have a lot of respect for them and their manager Dean Smith and playing against them will be a tall order.”

Blues’ last triumph in the League Cup came against Bristol City back in 2010.

And Powell is now looking for another rare cup win.

“I know we haven’t had a cup run here for a while because everyone keeps saying it to me,” said the Blues boss.

“I know a cup run captures everyone’s emotions but we have a long way to go and Brentford will be a very tough game.

“There are financial aspects too. We will have to be right on our game to get anything from the game with Brentford.”