SOUTHEND United goalkeeper Daniel Bentley is rated 50/50 for tonight’s clash at Newport County.

The Shrimpers shot-stopper injured his knee when attempting to prevent Graham Cummins scoring for Exeter City on Saturday.

And Blues boss Phil Brown is not sure if Bentley will recover in time for the trip to Wales.

“Dan took a knock and he’s a real doubt for the game,” confirmed Brown.

“Dan might still be able to come to the party but at the moment I would say he’s 50/50.

“He got the injury when Exeter got their goal but on Sunday his knee was twice its normal size.

“Because of that he didn’t train yesterday but I’ll give him every opportunity to play because he’s obviously a fantastic asset for us.”

Bentley has played the last 59 league games for Blues but should he miss out tonight then Brown must decide between Paul and Ted Smith.

Paul Smith lined up for the Shrimpers against Walsall in the Capital One Cup at the start of the season.

But Brown has also been impressed by Ted Smith’s development which has seen him earn England under 19 selection this season.

“If Dan doesn’t make it then it throws up a dilemma for me,” said Brown.

“I’ve got an England under 19 international goalkeeper in Ted Smith who I could throw in to the lion’s den or I could stick with the tried and tested Paul Smith.

“It’s something I’ll be thinking about while also monitoring Dan’s fitness.”

Eighth placed Blues head in to the game looking to end a three match winless streak.

The Shrimpers were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Exeter City on Saturday.

And Brown is expecting more of a physical battle tonight.

“People talk about crash helmets, tin helmets, going in to a battle, into a war and all that terminology will be mentioned to the players before the game this evening,” said Brown.

“It’s going to be very tough. They play their tactics well, they’re quite direct and they flood areas trying to get the second ball.

“I think only one of their starting 11 is under six foot tall and we will need to win the battle before trying to play the kind of football we know we can do. "

Newport, who are ninth in the table, head in to the game in fine form having lost just once in 10 league matches.

And Brown is desperate for his side to perform far better than they did at Rodney Parade last season when they sunk to a disappointing 3-1 defeat.

“I have horrible memories of going to Newport after last time,” said the 55-year-old.

“It was only Dan Bentley who really stopped Newport scoring six or seven but I think our lack of depth was exposed that day.

“I mentioned that to my chairman after the game and he then handed me a bit of freedom to bring in two or three new players.

“We don’t have that weakness in the squad now. I have different dilemmas every week and I certainly have some tonight because we can’t allow Newport to dictate the game or bully us.

“We need men to come to the table and go toe to toe with them.”

Blues have no other new injury concerns and skipper John White will face another late fitness test on the knee injury which forced him to miss Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Exeter.