SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is set to shake up his starting line-up for tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash at Crawley Town.

Brown is keen to use the second round tie to hand other players an opportunity to impress.

And the Shrimpers chief revealed John White, Will Atkinson, Noel Hunt, Anthony Wordsworth and Glen Rea were all in his thinking for the visit to the Broadfield Stadium.

“I need to look at one or two so I will be making changes,” said Brown.

“I’ve not seen John White for four games so he’s comes into my thinking and so does Will Atkinson.

“Noel Hunt has not started for four games so hopefully he can play a big part while Anthony Wordsworth and Glen Rea also spring to mind.

“I have to play six players from Saturday’s game or six from the team against Port Vale this weekend so I’ll be picking a strong side.

“And I’ll certainly be taking this competition seriously because we want a cup run.”

Blues have reached the final of the competition three times in the past 12 years, while Brown also won it as a player with Bolton Wanderers back in 1989.

But the Shrimpers chief is not thinking beyond tonight’s encounter with Crawley.

“It’s not going to be easy going there,” said Brown.

“Crawley are fighting for their lives and are going to be resilient.

“They will set up to frustrate us so I think we will have plenty of possession.

“But it’s all about what we do with it that matters.”