Barry Corr urges Southend United to show they are still serious promotion contenders (From Echo)

Barry Corr urges Southend United to show they are still serious promotion contenders

12:24pm Saturday 2nd March 2013 in Sport By Chris Phillips

BARRY Corr wants Southend United to prove they are still serious contenders for promotion by beating Rotherham United at Roots Hall tomorrow.

The Irish striker admitted Blues were still smarting from their midweek defeat at struggling Barnet which saw them slip down to ninth in the table.

But he also believes victory against the Millers this weekend can raise spirits in the camp and improve the chances of the club working their way back in to League One.

"We were very disappointed about Tuesday and we still are to be honest but a win against Rotherham will show people that we are still in business and good enough to be promoted," said Corr.

'With that in mind I think it's a massive match and we've been working hard in the build up to it.

"We were in on Wednesday and a few words were said about what happened at Barnet.

"We just never played to the standards that we know we can achieve and we want to avoid that happening tomorrow.

"I think a win would be a good kick start for the rest of the season and if we can do that then I'm sure we will have a late surge up the table."

However, Rotherham arrive at Roots Hall sitting fifth in the League Two table having been beaten in just one of their last six games.

Corr is therefore fully aware that Paul Sturrock's side will need to be at their best to come out on top.

But he is desperate to play a part in trying to make that happen, especially after missing 18 months of football with a serious knee injury before the start of this season.

“I think if you had asked anyone a year ago if I would have been playing three games in less than a week they’d have said no way but I'm ready for tomorrow and hope to be involved again," said Corr.

"I'm still not quite at full fitness but hopefully I can play a big role on Saturday and help the team get an important win against another of the sides up towards the top of the table."

Blues will again be without their injured captain Chris Barker who suffered an Achilles problem at Wycombe Wanderers last weekend, but Bilel Mohsni is available again after serving a three match suspension and could return in defence.

Midfielder Marc Laird (hamstring), defender Mark Phillips (broken toe) and striker Gavin Tomlin (thigh) are also still out and it remains to be seen if Ben Reeves will join them.

The midfielder's initial month long loan spell has now expired from Southampton but Blues remain in talks with the Premier League club and hope to soon be able to extend the deal.