SOUTHEND United’s under 21 team are in action against Cheltenham this afternoon.

Strikers David Mooney and Frank Nouble are both expected to feature for the Shrimpers along with winger Zavon Hines and midfielder Luke O’Neill.

And Blues boss Phil Brown believes the game will be of good use for the quartet.

“The strikers and wingers will be playing,” confirmed Brown.

“I think it will do them good to get a game at this stage of the season.”

Mooney was on the bench for last Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Coventry City but has not featured for the first team since injuring his ankle in October.

He will, therefore, be eager to impress against the Robins and is likely to be joined in attack by Nouble, who was omitted from the squad against Walsall at the weekend.

Nouble has made four substitute appearances since joining in January and now faces a fight to get back in contention, along with Hines.

The winger joined the Shrimpers in late December but has so far made just four appearances from the bench, the last of which came at Fleetwood Town in January.

Hines has failed to make the squad for Blues’ last 10 games while O’Neill - who should also feature today - was not on the bench against Walsall.

He has made 19 appearances for the first team this season.