SOUTHEND’S director of rugby Chris Green is hoping to strengthen his squad ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Launceston.

Signings cannot be completed in National Two South after today’s transfer deadline.

And Green is closing in on at least two new players.

“We’re working to bring in a couple of new faces before this weekend’s game and the deadline closing,” said the Seasiders coach.

“It’s close to happening and would certainly give us a boost before what is going to be another difficult match.”

Ninth placed Southend head in to the game on the back of five successive defeats and mixed injury news.

They will be without influential prop forward Michael Guess while captain James Kellard is also doubtful.

However, back row Daniel Legge is expected to return along with Adam Ferrier – who has played at flanker and in the front this season.

But whoever is selected will be in for a tricky afternoon.

“Launceston are always very strong at home and I think they’ve only lost once at their own ground this season,” said Green.

“They beat us at our place earlier on in the season as well which was disappointing but, most of all, we need to see a massive improvement on our performance from last weekend.”

Southend were beaten 39-13 by Bishop’s Stortford at Warners Bridge in their last outing in a display which left Green extremely disappointed.

“The Bishop’s Stortford game was as poor as we had been all season but we need to make sure it was just a one off,” said Green.

“In the previous defeats we had suffered before then I had actually been pleased with the performances but Saturday wasn’t good enough and we need to respond in the right way now.”