ALAN McCormack cannot wait to take on Ipswich Town tonight.

For not only is the Southend United relishing the opportunity of coming up against a Championship club.

But he is also thrilled to be playing the team managed by his boyhood hero, Roy Keane.

“When I was growing up in Ireland he was mine and everyone else’s favourite player,” McCormack told the Echo.

“He was at his peak at Manchester United and was certainly some to look up to.

“I used to try and play him like him too but I changed that a few seasons ago.

“I know he won’t be playing but it will still be great to see him at Roots Hall and I’m sure he will have Ipswich fired up to play in the way he used to.”

That means McCormack and his team-mates are preparing themselves for a tough examination.

But it is one the 25-year-old midfielder feels they need.

“It will be a good test for us because Ipswich are a good team,” said McCormack.

“These games are more about fitness and I think it will do us good to be chasing the ball a bit more.

“It will be a good little game because they like to pass it around as well and this has been a game the players have been looking forward to ever since it was announced.”

The clash with the Tractor Boys will also see the Shrimpers stepping up their workload by staying on the pitch for longer.

The majority of the players’ appearances have been restricted to 45 minutes so far during pre-season but that is about to change.

“More of the players will play for 90 minutes tonight,” confirmed manager Steve Tilson.

“Some will play for 60 but we’re getting closer to the start of the season now so we need to up it and get the lads nearer to a full game.”

Tilson will again be taking a look at trialist left-back Zumar Babayogo but there will be no Dougie Freedman.

He suffered an ankle injury during training and is expected to be out for around five days.

“Dougie just went over on his ankle during training,” confirmed Tilson.

“I don’t think he will play against Ipswich and looks like being out for around five or six days, but it’s nothing too serious.

“It’s still frustrating but this will be our toughest test during pre-season and it will be a good yardstick too.”

Also missing for the Shrimpers tonight are winger Damian Scannell (knee), striker James Walker (hamstring) and right-back Osei Sankofa (Achilles).