SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has selected an unchanged starting line-up for this afternoon’s game at Gillingham.

The Shrimpers had been hoping Anton Ferdinand would be fit enough to return at the heart of the back four but the defender has failed to recover from a calf injury in time to feature meaning Ryan Inniss will continue alongside Adam Thompson.

However, the rest of the side remains unchanged with Marc-Antoine Fortune partnering Simon Cox in attack.

Southend United: Smith, Demetriou, Thompson, Inniss, Coker, Leonard, Timlin, McGlashan, Wordsworth, Cox, Fortune

Subs: Bexon, White, Atkinson, Amos, Nouble, Robinson & Ranger