MARC-ANTOINE Fortune is set to feature for Southend United’s under 21 team against Peterborough United today.

The Frenchman is expected to start in an otherwise young starting line-up after making himself unavailable for a behind days clash against Leyton Orient later in the week.

And Blues boss Phil Brown is keen for as many of his squad as possible to get onto the pitch in the next few days.

“We have the game with Peterborough today and another behind closed doors game with Leyton Orient in the week and we’ll be looking to use as many players as possible,” said Brown.

“Marc has asked for permission to head back to France later in the week because he has an urgent situation to sort out so he’s going to play against Peterborough and not Orient.

“But we have a number of the young lads playing because it’s important they get the games too.”

Fit-again left-back Harry Kyprianou is expected to start this afternoon along with Dan Matsuzaka, Abdul Salami, Elvis Bwomono, Joe Bedford and Sonny Coutts.

Trialist winger Zavon Hines will also be involved.

And he has now moved another step closer towards signing for the Shrimpers on a permanent basis after receiving positive results from a scan on his knee.

“We’ve had the results of the scan back now and they’re showing that there’s a low to medium risk of Zavon breaking down with another knee injury which we’re taking as good news,” said Brown.

“Zavon has had two operations on his knee so we wanted to have a really good look at it before deciding whether or not to offer him a deal.

“But we’ll certainly be offering him a contract now and then we’ll take things from there.

“He’ll be playing in the game against Peterborough and I’m sure he will be looking to put in another positive performance.”

More of the first team squad are then expected to figure later on in the week against Leyton Orient as the Shrimpers are without a fixture this weekend.

Defeat to Millwall in the first round of the FA Cup means Blues will go 10 days without a first team fixture.

And Brown is keen to break the time up with a game.

“We’ve got the game with Orient and I think it will be a good way of keeping everyone ticking over,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“Those who are in need of more minutes will get them and those who perhaps need a bit of a break won’t be ahead of our Checkatrade Trophy game with Oxford next Tuesday.”