Phillips faces late fitness test (From Echo)

Southend United's Mark Phillips faces late fitness test

9:00am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

BLUES centre-back Mark Phillips will face another late fitness test on his groin injury ahead of tomorrow’s clash at Plymouth Argyle.

Phillips was forced to miss Tuesday night’s 4-1 defeat to Swindon Town with the problem he picked up during the 2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury Town a fortnight ago.

And manager Paul Sturrock does not know if the 29-year-old will be ready to return against the Pilgrims.

“Mark will be having another late fitness test and we don’t know if he will be available,” said Sturrock.

“He will only travel if he’s available to play but it’s touch and go at this stage if he will be ready in time.”

If Phillips if not passed fit then Pat Baldwin is likely to continue alongside Chris Barker at the heart of the back four.

However, Sturrock looks set to shake up his midfield with either David Martin or Bilel Mohsni being recalled on the left flank.

That will see Michael Timlin move into central midfield with Kane Ferdinand dropping out of the starting line-up.

Sturrock is also mulling over whether to start with Liam Dickinson and Jack Sampson again in attack or whether or not to start with Elliot Benyon.

Southend United (from): Morris, Clohessy, Baldwin, Barker, Gilbert, Hall, Kalala, Timlin, Mohsni, Dickinson, Sampson, Grant, Harris, Ferdinand, Martin, Benyon, Bentley & Prosser.