SOUTHEND United skipper Chris Barker is dreaming of leading his team out at Wembley in the final of the League Two play-offs.

But he knows Blues are facing a huge task to get there.

Paul Sturrock’s side face Crewe twice in quick succession with the winners advancing to play at the world-famous home of English football at the end of the month.

However, Barker (pictured) is expecting two testing games against the Railwaymen.

“Crewe are on a real run and haven’t lost in 16 games, so for me that says everything about the challenge we’re facing,” said Barker, 32.

“They play a good style of football and have always had a side who like to pass the ball, but we’ve beaten them twice this season and I think that shows something.

“If we perform like we can, we know we can beat them and the prize at the end of it is huge.

“Promotion would be massive and so would playing at Wembley.

“I actually think leading the team out there would be one of the proudest moments of my whole career, but there’s no point in thinking about that just yet or getting excited because there’s a lot of hard work still to be done.”

Barker has previously been involved in the play-offs, suffering mixed fortunes.

The centre back was with Barnsley when they lost 4-2 to Ipswich in the Division One play-off final at Wembley back in 2000.

But three years later he tasted promotion with Cardiff City when they beat QPR in the Second Division final at the Millennium Stadium.

“I’ve seen the good and the bad of the play-offs but they’re always exciting games because there’s so much at stake,” said Barker.

“You are under added pressure but we want to thrive under that and produce two good performances against Crewe to get to the final.”

Blues have no new injury concerns for the clash and have midfielder Kane Ferdinand available again after he recovered from a virus.

Goalkeeper Cameron Belford is also fit to play despite suffering a dead leg against Macclesfield Town last weekend.

Southend United (from): Belford, Clohessy, Phillips, Barker, Gilbert, Mohsni, Grant, Timlin, Hall, Ferdinand, Harris, Eastwood, Benyon, Prosser, Morris, Sawyer, Martin, Hills & Flood.