SOUTHEND United captain Kevin Maher is fighting to be fit for tomorrow's trip to Leeds.

The long serving midfielder missed the midweek Carling Cup triumph over Cheltenham Town with a foot injury.

But, in a bid to make the clash at Elland Road, Maher is set to have a cortisone injection.

And he hopes that will enable him to play.

"My foot is still quite painful at the moment but we are hoping that the injection will do the trick," said the 30-year-old.

"It is supposed to reduce the swelling and just ease things generally so touch wood it can and I will be able to play tomorrow because I really want to make it.

"We had a taste of grounds like that last season and want we more.

"As well as that I really want to help us get our first league win of the season so I'm desperate to play."

Maher aggravated the injury, which he first sustained towards the end of the previous campaign against Barnsley, during the opening day defeat to Leyton Orient at Roots Hall.

The captain has failed to train since and has also had the injury scanned, but the results proved inconclusive.

"It showed up an old injury so it was hard to get much from it," said Maher.

"It's right on the in-step of my foot so it's painful every time I strike the ball and I couldn't believe it when I took another knock there.

"I had just got over the last one when against Orient I got kicked again but I just hope the injection works and I can play again quite quickly."