SOUTHEND United’s Mickey Spillane is ready to continue at centre back if required against Northampton Town tomorrow.

Blues will definitely be missing the suspended Ryan Cresswell while Chris Barker and Mark Phillips are also unlikely to be fit.

But Spillane, who is normally a midfielder, does mind having to fill in at the back, just like he did against Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.

“It’s hard going from one position to the other but I’ve played defence before and I’m happy to do it again if I’m needed to, “ said Spillane, 23.

“I made a mistake when I played there against Cheltenham on Tuesday and I hold my hands up for that.

“There was a bit of a mis-communication between Paul Smith and me but I take the blame for that goal.

“These things can happen but I’m determined to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Experienced assistant manager Graham Coughlan, who has not started a game since August 2011, is Blues’ only other available option at the heart of the back four.

However, Spillane expected to get the nod and is expecting a difficult encounter against Northampton’s physical strikers - Clive Platt and Adebayo Akinfenwa.

“Northampton are a very physical and strong side with good strikers,” said Spillane.

“My last game for Dagenham was against them and we lost 3-1 and I think they will finish the season much higher than they are in the table right now because they have some very good players.”

However, despite being in contention for promotion, the Cobblers have won just three of their 15 away games so far this season.

But they will face an understrength side Blues side who will definitely be without Caolan Lavery (hamstring), Michael Timlin (broken leg), Marc Laird (hamstring) and Gavin Timlin (thigh).