SOUTHEND United will be stepping up their pre-season preparations with two games in the space of 19 hours.

The Shrimpers will be lining up at National League side Braintree Town tonight before they host Premier League outfit West Ham United at Roots Hall tomorrow.

And Blues boss Phil Brown will be fielding a strong side in both matches.

“We will be looking at people playing 60 minutes at Braintree and those who play the final 30 will then start against West Ham,” said the 56-year-old.

“They will also play for an hour so the idea is that everyone will have played a total of 90 minutes in these two games which will both be a real test for us.

“We have a few trialists coming in and it will be good to see everyone in action across the two games.”

Southend will be lining up in next season’s away kit for the first time when they take on the Hammers who are expected to be sending a reasonably strong squad to Roots Hall.

Diafra Sakho and Dimitri Payet are both believed to be travelling along with Elliot Lee whose loan spell with the Shrimpers was abruptly ended by a hamstring injury last season.

Southend season card holders can watch the game, which kicks off at 3pm, for £10 and £5 concessions.

Non season card holders will be charged £12 adults and £6 concessions.