SOUTHEND United is facing another High Court battle with the taxman.

As the Echo revealed in today's paper, the club has to defend a winding up petition from loan company Charterhouse Commercial Finance on July 14.

However, it has also emerged HM Customs has lodged its third petition to wind up the club over unpaid taxes in less than a year.

The case goes to the High Court next Thursday over a £200,000 debt relating to outstanding PAYE contributions for April and May this year.

In a statement on the club website chairman Ron Martin said it would be settled before next week's hearing.