SOUTHEND United midfielder Anthony Wordsworth looks set to make his long awaited comeback from injury this afternoon.

Wordsworth has not played since March after picking up a serious hamstring problem.

But he is expected to line up for the Shrimpers’ under-21s at Dagenham & Redbridge this afternoon, much to the delight of manager Phil Brown.

“Providing Woody doesn’t suffer any kind of reaction to training yesterday then he’ll be involved in the game today at Dagenham, which is great news,” said Brown.

“It’s obviously been a frustrating time for him lately not been able to play and trying to find out what had been causing the problems with his hamstring.

“Thankfully it’s all been sorted now and fingers crossed he’ll play today because it would give everyone a big boost to see him back out there.”

However, Wordsworth - who last appearance came at Rochdale in late March - is not the only Shrimpers player scheduled to make a comeback today, as Anton Ferdinand is also expected to figure.

The 31-year-old has has missed Blues’ last two matches with a hamstring injury he picked up in a 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers.

“Anton has been back in training for a little while and has recovered from the hamstring problem he had been suffering with,” said Brown.

“He came off early enough at Bolton to stop the injury getting worse and he’s another one who, providing he suffers no reaction from training, will be coming back today.

“It will be a strong side we’re putting out at Dagenham and it’s good that the injured players are starting to come back.

“It obviously gives us more options, which is what we need.”

Echosport also understands on loan Crystal Palace defender Ryan Inniss could also feature in today’s game.

The centre-back was a surprise inclusion on the bench for Saturday’s clash with Millwall following his release from prison.

Inniss successfully appealed against a 14-week custodial sentence he was originally given for assault.

And he now seems likely to be staying with the Shrimpers. Trialist striker Marc-Antonie Fortune should also figure for Blues at Dagenham but Michael Timlin and Nile Ranger are both still absent.

Timlin has yet to figure this season after injuring his hamstring against West Ham United in late July, while Ranger is still out with the ankle problem he suffered against Sheffield United in August. Today’s game starts at 1.30pm.