JOHNNY Herd is hoping for a belated birthday gift at MK Dons tonight.

The left-back, who turned 20 yesterday, looks set to take the place of the cup tied George Friend.

And he wants to help the Shrimpers reach the third round stage of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

“Hopefully I will get a chance to play and we can get a good result there,” said Herd.

“I’m sure MK Dons will make a few changes but it will still be a hard game there and we will need to play well.”

If selected, Herd will also be wanting to impress after losing his place in the starting line-up to Friend, who is on loan at Roots Hall for a month from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Herd started three successive games before being forced off with a hip injury during the 3-2 win at Brighton and Hove Albion and he has been unable to regain his place.

“It’s been frustrating for me, especially as I came out of the team because of injury,” said Herd.

“Things had been going well because we drew 0-0 with Leeds which was a good result and then beat Leyton Orient 3-0.

“But against Brighton I got an impact injury and although I tried to carry on I had to come off during the second half.

“It’s disappointing but these things happen in football and you just have to get on with it and wait for another chance.

“George has played well but can’t play tonight so I’m hoping I will get an opportunity.”

Blues will be forced to make at least one other change to their starting line-up as midfielder Anthony Grant serves a one match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Stockport County on Saturday.

He is expected to be replaced by Jean-Francois Christophe in the centre of the park, while Roy O’Donovan could return in attack with Dougie Freedman dropping to the bench.

Winger Damian Scannell will not be making the trip though and that means the Shrimpers are likely to only be able to name four substitutes.

Southend United (from): Mildenhall, Francis, Sankofa, Barrett, Herd, Laurent, Christophe, McCormack, Moussa, Barnard, O’Donovan, Freedman, Joyce, Sawyer and O’Keefe,