Southend United's Alex Woodyard keen to keep place for York City game (From Echo)

Southend United's Alex Woodyard keen to keep place for York City game

9:00am Friday 26th October 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

ALEX Woodyard hopes to have done enough to keep his place in what could be a new look Southend United midfield against York City tomorrow.

Blues are today expected to complete the loan signing of new midfielder, believed to be Mark Laird from Leyton Orient.

And, after impressing during Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat to Aldershot Town, Woodyard wants to remain in the starting line-up alongside him for the clash with the Minstermen at Roots Hall.

“On a personal note I thought I played fairly well against Aldershot and I just hope I’ve done enough to stay in the team, “said Woodyard, 19.
 

“If I haven’t then I will wait for another chance but just making sure we win tomorrow is all that matters because we were all disappointed to lose against Aldershot.”
 

Woodyard’s battling display in the centre of the park was a rare bright spot for Blues on Tuesday and he was delighted to be handed his second start of the season having previously endured a frustrating 18 month spell without a match.
 

“It was hard during that time but I kept on working hard just in case a chance did come my way,” said Woodyard.

“It was difficult to even get out on loan because not many teams wanted a midfielder with not much experience so I just had to make sure I trained well and put everything in to the reserve games I had.”
 

Woodyard’s next chance to impress could well come against York tomorrow.
But, if things had worked out differently, the youngster could now be with Blues’ local rivals, Colchester United.
 

“I was at Colchester for a while but they couldn’t sort out any digs for me to stay in so I ended up coming to Southend,” said Woodyard.

“My agent at the time is good friends with Ricky Duncan and he signed me after I had been here a week and things have gone pretty well ever since.”
 

Blues boss Paul Sturrock will be forced in to at least one change tomorrow as centre-back Mark Phillips is likely to miss out with a groin problem.

As a result, left-back Anthony Straker looks set to be restored to the starting line-up with Chris Barker moving back in to the middle of the defence.
 

Ryan Leonard (hamstring), Michael Timlin (ankle), Luke Prosser (buttock) and Neil Harris (knee) are all expected to miss out.
 

However, striker Barry Corr should return to training today after recovering from a groin injury and could be back on the bench tomorrow.