PHIL Brown insists his Southend United side cannot wait to have a crack at table-topping Sheffield United tomorrow.

The Shrimpers head into the game unbeaten in 13 league matches for the first time in 11 years.

And the Blues boss is keen to keep the good run going by beating the Blades at Roots Hall.

“Saturday’s game has really whet my appetite and I’m licking my lips in anticipation if I’m honest,” said Brown.

“Sheffield United are top of the table and are coming into the game in a rich vein of form but so are we.

“We’ve been on a good run and because of that we’re looking forward to this game rather than dreading it.

“It certainly doesn’t hold any fear for us and I know the players feel the same way.”

The Shrimpers - who are seventh in the League One table - beat the Blades 3-0 at Bramall Lane back in August.

But Brown believes Sheffield United will now be bidding for revenge.

“I’m sure they will still be smarting from what happened earlier on in the season but a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then,” said the 57-year-old.

“They will all be happy with how their season has gone and they’re certainly a massive club.

“They have a huge fanbase but we also have our ambitions and it’s two in-form teams going head to head so bring it on.”

Brown - who missed out to Rochdale’s Keith Hill for the December manager of the month award - hopes to have striker Marc-Antoine Fortune available despite him suffering a dead leg at Swindon Town on Monday.

Winger Stephen McLaughlin will definitely be missing with an ankle problem.

But Brown hopes the Irishman will soon be back in action.

It’s a grade two tear rather than a rupture,” said Brown.

“Fingers crossed he’ll be back in two or three weeks and it’s not a long term injury.”